Parenting in America Today

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid reports of a growing youth mental health crisis, 4 in 10 U.S. parents with children younger than 18 say they are extremely or very worried that their children might struggle with anxiety or depression at some point. The findings come from a Pew Research Center survey released in January that looked at a range of questions for parents, including their aspirations for their children and their parenting styles.

Mental Health Tops the List of Parental Concerns

% of parents saying they are — worried about each of the following happening to any of their children at some point

Parents Prioritize Financial Stability, Job Satisfaction for Their Children When They Reach Adulthood

% of parents saying it is — important to them that their children do each of the following as adults

More Than 4 In 10 Parents Describe Themselves As Overprotective

% of parents saying they are a parent who tends to ...

Comparable Shares Are Raising Their Kids Similarly To Vs. Differently From Their Own Upbringing

% of parents saying they are trying to raise their children in a — way compared with how they were raised

Note: Share of respondents who didn’t offer an answer not shown.