Years ago, it seemed that some of the most pressing concerns for parents were ensuring their children said no to drugs and that they made it to school safely. Now, they simply want educators to meet their academic and social-emotional needs without the external input of unnecessary politics and other third-party barriers. But since the pandemic, American education has changed. And so too have parents’ top concerns for their children.
Understanding what parents what for their children is vital for educators and district leaders alike. New research from the Pew Research Center can help schools tap into exactly what parents are thinking. In their publication “Parenting in America Today,” several items stand out as important for K12 leaders.
Student mental health and bullying
Amid what experts are calling a growing youth mental health crisis, parents find this extremely troubling. According to the nearly 4,000 respondents, 76% said they’re worried to some degree about their child struggling with anxiety or depression. Additionally, 74% said they’re also worried about their child being bullied, which was their second-highest concern.
List of parental concerns
- Struggling with anxiety or depression: Extremely/Very (40%), Somewhat (36%)
- Being bullied: Extremely/Very (35%), Somewhat (39%)
- Being kidnapped or abducted: Extremely/Very (28%), Somewhat (31%)
- Getting beaten up or attacked: Extremely/Very (25%), Somewhat (32%)
- Having problems with drugs or alcohol: Extremely/Very (23%), Somewhat (30%)
- Getting shot: Extremely/Very (22%), Somewhat (23%)
- Getting pregnant/getting somewhat pregnant as a teen: Extremely/Very (16%), Somewhat (30%)
- Getting in trouble with the police: Extremely/Very (14%), Somewhat (19%)
Furthermore, the research indicates that concerns vary across gender and populations.
“By significant margins, mothers are more likely than fathers to worry about most of these things,” according to the publication. “There are also differences by income and race and ethnicity, with lower-income and Hispanic parents generally more likely than other parents to worry about their children’s physical safety, teen pregnancy and problems with drugs and alcohol. Black and Hispanic parents are more likely than White and Asian parents to say they are extremely or very worried about their children getting shot or getting in trouble with the police.”
So as you move forward in serving your district, consider applying these findings to your efforts in meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of your students. Because when parents are satisfied with their child’s education systems, the district as a whole will benefit.
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