Parenting is not an easy job during normal times, but adding a global pandemic to the mix has parental anxiety levels skyrocketing, according to a new national poll.
Parents are stressed over concerns about their children, which include lack of social interaction, depression, suicide, too much screen time and lethargy, according to the poll report in Newswise. Almost half of polled parents named the coronavirus itself as a “big problem” impacting kids.
The report also exposed some key racial and ethnic differences among parents. Black parents rate racism as their No.1 health concern for children and teens, with COVID-19 coming in at No.2, according to the poll, with racism ranking sixth among Hispanic parents and COVID-19 at No. 8. Among white parents, racism does not make the top 10 health issues and COVID-19 is much lower on their list of concerns.
This may be due to the fact that people from minority groups are more likely to contract COVID-19, and are sicker and more likely to die of the virus at significantly higher rates than white individuals, according to the report. In addition, massive demonstrations hit the airwaves on a regular basis this year as protesters decried racial injustice.
The poll also showed that Black parents are the only group that rates gun injuries and unequal access to health care as a top 10 concern. Meanwhile, white parents are the only group to rate lack of physical activity in the top 10.
Source: Newswise December 15, 2020