Parenting is one of the most important jobs in the world—yet, unlike most jobs, we don’t get formal training before diving in. We learn from experience, advice (sometimes conflicting), and whatever information we can find. But here’s something many people don’t realize:
Evidence-based parenting education has existed for generations, and research shows it can prevent and improve many problems families and society experience. Yet, many people don’t know that it exists or think it’s only for “bad” parents. They might think anyone can be a “parenting expert,” or that professionals like therapists and pediatricians have been trained in effective parenting skills. None of those are true!
Parenting is not a Matter of OPINION; it’s a Matter of SCIENCE!
What the Research Says About Parenting Education
For over 60 years—since the first formal parenting education program, Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.), was introduced in 1962—parenting education has been helping families thrive. Research shows that parenting education leads to:
✔ Lower stress for parents. The U.S. Surgeon General recently warned that parents are facing “dangerous” levels of stress (2024). Studies show that parenting education helps parents feel more confident and supported (Wilder, 2016).
✔ Better outcomes for children. Kids whose parents have access to parenting education demonstrate stronger social skills, better emotional regulation, and improved cognitive development (Am J Lifestyle Med. 2021, Cureus. 2022).
✔ Safer communities. Parenting education has been linked to lower juvenile crime rates (Investing in Kids, 2023) and even reduced recidivism rates among incarcerated parents (Wilson et al., 2010).
✔ Cost savings for society. Prevention programs that support parents early on reduce the need for costly interventions like foster care, incarceration, and intensive mental health treatment (Admin Policy Mental Health, 2020). Investing in parenting education now saves money later—while building stronger families in the process.
So Why Isn’t Parenting Education More Talked About?
If parenting education has so many benefits, why isn’t it more widely recognized or accessible?
❌ Stigma: Many believe parenting classes are only for “bad parents” or have “bad kids,” but all parents benefit from learning new strategies and support.
❌ Lack of Credentialing: Unlike therapists and social workers, parenting educators don’t have standardized credentials, which means unqualified influencers and self-proclaimed experts often spread misinformation.
❌ Barriers to Becoming a Parenting Educator: Many passionate professionals struggle to make a career in this field because:
- There are few affordable and accessible college degree programs for parenting education.
- Most parenting programs rely on short-term grants, leading to low and inconsistent pay for educators.
- Insurance companies don’t cover parenting education, making it harder for families to access these services and for practitioners to be paid for their professional services.
❌ Lack of training and education on parenting in family-related degree programs: Even professionals who serve parents—like pediatricians and therapists oftenaren’t trained in research-based effective parenting skills. Some don’t even know about the science of childhood trauma(Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, CDC & Kaiser Permanente, 1997) and chronic stress, the effects they have on the body. When the physical and behavioral symptoms show up, they often label them as mental health issues and treat them with medication without healing the underlying causes.
How You Can Help Advocate for Parenting Education
As parents, we have the power to change the conversation and make parenting education a normal and expected part of raising kids. Here’s how:
🔹 Talk About It – Share how parenting education has helped you or could help others. Let’s normalize learning and growing as parents!
🔹 Ask for It – Encourage schools, pediatricians, and community organizations to offer or promote research-backed parenting resources.
🔹 Support Policies That Fund Parenting Education – Many states are pushing for Medicaid coverage and better funding for parenting programs. Parents speaking up can make a difference!
Parenting is tough, but no one should have to figure it out alone. Let’s work together to make parenting education accessible, respected, and part of every parent’s journey.
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Watch a one-hour webinar with more details on these challenges and possible solutions, plus other issues directly impacting parents, like parenting misinformation and guidelines for recognizing quality advice and advisors. Just click HERE.
Jody Johnston Pawel is a Licensed Social Worker, Certified Family Life Educator (and recipient of the 2024 “Outstanding FLE” international award), Certified Trauma Support Specialist, and one of the first to qualify as a Certified Family Life Coach at the Expert Level. She is the author of the award-winning book, The Parent’s Toolshop® and a top-rated speaker who has trained over 100,000 parents and professionals and has certified over 100 Parent’s Toolshop® trainers and coaches worldwide. She serves as a parenting expert to the media, with 300+ media appearances in the first year of the launch of her award-winning book The Parent’s Toolshop® and was the Assistant Producer and On-air Parenting Expert of the Emmy-nominated Ident-a-Kid television series. She has created 100+ multimedia resources that support and educate parents from diverse backgrounds and needs, and other adults who live or work with children. You can find them at her award-winning website, www.ParentsToolshop.com.
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