2015-12-17_parenting-in-america_FINAL

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December 15, 2015

Parenting in America

2015-12-17_parenting-in-america_FINAL

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Parenting in America
Parents’ view of their neighborhood differs sharply by income
More concern about violence, teenage pregnancy among lower-income parents
For U.S. kids, strong link between parents’ marital status and likelihood of living in poverty
Millennial moms give themselves high marks
Most parents want others to see them as good parents
A gender gap in parenting styles
Most college graduates say too much parental involvement in a child’s education can be a bad thing
Kids of higher-income parents are more likely to be in extracurricular activities
Use of spanking differs across racial and education groups
Key differences in parental concerns across racial lines
For children, growing diversity in family living arrangements
The two-parent household in decline
Black children and those with less educated parents less likely to be living in two-parent households
One-in-six kids is living in a blended family
Among women, fertility is declining
Among Hispanics and the less educated, bigger families
The decoupling of marriage and childbearing
For the less educated, more births outside of marriage
Among mothers, rising labor force participation
In four-in-ten families, mom is the primary breadwinner
Parents’ view of their neighborhood differs sharply by income, race
Meeting basic expenses much more challenging for single parents
Parents who live comfortably give themselves higher ratings for parenting
Millennial moms give themselves high marks for parenting
About 9-in-10 parents say it matters “a lot” that spouse or partner sees them as a good parent
For most, being a parent is central to their identity
Parents of young children find parenting more enjoyable, rewarding
Mothers, more than fathers, find being a parent tiring
Parents who always feel rushed are more tired, stressed than other parents
Many parents say they spend too little time with kids, partners, friends
Most full-time working moms say they don’t have enough free time for friends, hobbies
Moms, more than dads, turn to family and friends for parenting advice
Half of college-educated moms get advice from parenting websites, books, magazines
Black and Hispanic parents are more likely to see kids’ successes and failures as a reflection of their parenting
Most parents say they can be overprotective at times
Parenting styles across generations
Parents are divided on how they view their children’s successes and failures
Few parents say they spank their kids often as a way to discipline
Honesty, compassion, hard work trump financial independence, ambition when it comes to parents’ hopes for their kids
Mothers and non-white and lower-income parents place more importance on college degrees
Six-in-ten parents worry their children might be bullied at some point
Parents with higher and lower incomes don’t always share the same concerns
Parental concerns vary across racial and ethnic groups
Parents say kids should be at least 10 to be alone at home or in public without adult supervision
One-in-five separated or divorced parents say they disagree with children’s other parent often
Most parents generally agree that kids shouldn’t feel bad about poor grades as long as they try hard
Many would be disappointed if their children got poor grades
Low-income parents slightly more likely to say they don’t put enough pressure on their kids to do well in school
About half say parents could never be too involved in their kids’ education
About six-in-ten black parents wish they could be more involved in their kids’ education

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