Farmers will attest that in order for crops to be successfully raised, adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients are required. Parents will attest that much, much more is needed to ensure that children grow into productive, successful adults (unconditional love, moral leadership, discipline, instruction…) and consider the term ‘rearing’ to be a more suitable descriptor. Though crops can typically be planted, raised, and harvested in 1-5 years, it takes roughly 4 times longer for a child to reach full maturity.
For generations, the majority of responsibilities associated with childrearing have traditionally been assumed by mothers. Such is no longer the case. For many children today, adults other than their biological parents serve as key players in shaping their development. Over half of working parents in the United States with children under the age of 6 rely on child-care centers, where most children spend the majority of their day. Arguably, for many parents, childrearing has effectively been abdicated to daycare workers.
Reports vary regarding the amount of time parents spend with their children on a daily basis. Some reports indicate that the average amount of time that university-educated mothers in America spend with their children (under age 13) is 120 minutes a day. For university-educated fathers, 85 minutes daily is the average. Non-university educated parents spend about 20% less time per day with their children than university-educated parents. The ideal amount of time parents spend daily with their children is primarily dependent upon the age of the child, with children under age 5 at great risk when not receiving deliberate, age-appropriate attention and guidance needed for optimal long term emotional stability.
Though children benefit most from spending the majority of their time during the early years of life in a loving home with nurturing parents, the critical role of parents in the childrearing process (particularly mothers) has long been underestimated, undervalued, even undermined. As evidenced by the numbers of children demonstrating behavioral issues at an early age, our nation has clearly lost perspective on the significance of the first 5 years of life. Kindergarten teachers note that more children entering school lack adequate social and emotional development with high school and college instructors reporting similar observations!
Our society has moved farther and farther away from embracing that which was traditionally considered the role of parents. In times past, children looked to their parents as the authoritative leaders of the family, leaders who were to be listened to, respected, and honored. That view has gradually shifted over time with many parents no longer viewed as authoritative leaders and family interactions more reflective of a 'friend' relationship than that of parent(s) and child.
With the majority of families needing childcare support, the extensive childrearing/childcare issues impacting today’s families can understandably be overwhelming (In 2020, over half of working families spent more than $10,000 on childcare). Though the childcare industry in the United States is a staggering $60 billion dollar industry, the industry as a whole is seriously lacking in quality. Low wages contribute to the high turnover rate of childcare workers - an issue that is not without serious consequences. Disruption in care during the early childhood years can result in long term adverse effects such as anxiety, insecurity, and feelings of abandonment.
The lack of regard for quality childcare in our nation is a major underlying cause of our most critical social problems. For the benefit of all, revamping not only the childcare system but also inadequate parental leave policies should be of highest priority. In a country where the government spends extravagantly, the benefits of enhancing these aspects of family life should outweigh concerns regarding the expenses involved.
A nation is only as strong as its citizens. With youth crime and childhood depression occurring at alarming rates, it is imperative to focus on matters relating to children. Prioritizing issues related to childrearing will have a far more significant long-term impact than any other issue currently facing this nation.
©Sharon Knapp Lamberth, November 2024
Sources:
*30+ Essential U.S. Child Care Statistics [2023]: Availability, Costs, And Trends by Chris Kolmar, Zippia.com, Jun. 20, 2023
*CQEL (California Quality Early Learning); Navigating the Challenges of High Turnover Rates in the Childcare Industry, Sept. 2023
*Financial Samurai; The Average Amount of Time Parents Spend with Their Kids A Day Is So Low by Sam Dogen, Oct. 21, 2024
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