Parent education, a major challenge

Extracts from MMM Statement

Our rapidly-changing world is leading to major transformations in societies and in family structures. From urbanization to family configuration to income and gender inequalities to work-family life imbalances, these changes have health consequences, with new risks of illness, increased drug addiction or mental health problems linked to daily stress. Furthermore, technology impacts relationships and behaviors.

Jacqueline Leduc Rauline, MMM Representative at the UN in New York, speaking on behalf of MMM at the High-Level event on International Day of Education

As traditional structures disappear, new parenting challenges emerge, requiring concerted parental support efforts. As the UNESCO publication on the State of the World’s Early Childhood Care and Education indicates, global trends show that more than half of young children are at risk of being deprived of quality parental care in areas identified as essential. There is an urgent need to analyze and examine the reasons why some parents are not engaged in or unable to fulfill their parental child-rearing responsibilities.

Social and family policies play a key role in parenting practices and family functioning, but more needs to be done to provide parents with access to education and support programs, including pre-parenting education. These programs exist, and their evaluation must take into account not only the child’s cognitive development but also his or her physical and social development.

Parent education benefits not only children and families, but society as a whole. It is therefore an essential challenge, which we hope to address together.

Full MMM Statement – Parent Education, a Major Challenge

MMM delivered this Statement during the High-Level event held at the UN headquarters in New York to celebrate the 2nd International Day of Education.