Why parent-shaming is on the rise in Australia
A shocking number of Australian parents has been shamed over the way they raise their children — and the problem is on the rise. These are the most common things parents are made to feel guilty about.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Nearly half of all Australian parents say they have been shamed by others for the way their raise their kids, a new study has found.
Two in five women and one in four men say judgmental comments from others make them question their own parenting abilities and suffer anxiety as a result.
Discipline, children’s behaviour, letting kids spend too much time on screens and being a working parent are all things parents say they’re made to feel guilty about.
Parent-shaming, which mums and dads say is on the rise, often takes place on social media, with online forums offering opportunity to judge others.
Parent-shaming can range from being questioned by others, hearing negative remarks or even receiving weird looks from strangers.
The hardest hit are parents of newborns, who hear mean comments more often than parents of older children.
The survey of more than 1000 parents by Huggies found nearly one in 10 mums and dads seek professional health as a result of being shamed for their parenting.
Melbourne psychologist Sabina Read said parent-shaming “can come from a positive intent but it doesn’t always land that way”.
“Sometimes people are feeling less than perfect themselves. There’s a feeling that others have got it together,” she said
She said “women’s self-critical voice around parenting tended to be louder than men’s but fathers are feeling it too”.
MORE NEWS
SIR ELTON’S AUCKLAND MOVE TO ANGER VICTORIAN FANS
PHONE BLACK SPOTS LEAVING TRAIN TRAVELLERS HANGING
WHY NOSSAL HIGH’S PRINCIPAL DYED HIS HAIR PINK
Mother-of-three and former reality TV contestant Snezana Wood is used to receiving unsolicited criticism and advice over the way she and husband Sam raise Eve, 14, Willow, 2 and Charlie, 7 months.
On one occasion, she posted on Instagram about taking her girls for a walk on a cold day. “People asked why we were going out when it was so cold – but we knew they were warm and comfortable,” she said.
“It’s important to try and look past it. You know what’s right and what’s not, and you know your own kids better than anyone,” Ms Wood said. “Be comfortable in your own skin.”