The Struggles of Parenting

Children are struggling. 

Child abuse and neglect harm our children by causing mental delays and disorders such as depression, anxiety, learning difficulties, and attention deficits. Not only is this negatively affecting children, but parents are unable to properly and meaningfully connect with their kids. Sadly, neglect and child abuse are prevalent among families with unprepared and uneducated parents. According to the CDC, 1 in 7 American children experience child abuse and/or neglect. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 600,000 children are affected per year, detrimentally altering their futures. 

Luckily,  non-profit community organizations help support unplanned or unprepared parents with vital education and support. These parenting classes encourage and explain different positive parenting styles, making it easy for parents to adapt to their children’s current developmental states. These parenting classes report that 88-94% of parents enrolled or who have taken a class, claim to have a stronger bond with their children and become more confident in their parenting decisions. 

Being better prepared for the challenges of parenting equips parents with the skills and knowledge they need, helping to prevent neglectful and abusive parenting. Being a better parent makes for better children. Being armed with the skills needed to take on the impossibly hard job of parenting gives children the opportunity for successful futures. 

Without help, families are left suffering. Sadly, many are unaware of the life-altering resources available to them. It’s a parent’s job to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their children. However, I believe it is our job to support these struggling families and embrace this issue by spreading awareness of and access to parenting classes. Sharing our support can protect our children, prevent families from fracturing, and help form stronger bonds within our communities.

This change, of course, is not going to happen overnight. Still, with continued effort and proper influence, we can guarantee ourselves a brighter future, full of strong-minded children, strong relationships, and strong communities of better parents. We as a country and as a community are faced with this heartbreaking issue, but I know that with time and support, we can become better. For our children.