This is the third “Parenting Today in Victoria” survey that aims to inform policy and service planning.
We surveyed Victorian families during February to May 2022. At this time the community was emerging from long lockdowns and school closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey provides a unique opportunity to assess how parents are faring as they emerge from this unprecedented time.
In 2016, we conducted the most comprehensive survey made to date into the concerns, needs and behaviours of Victorian parents.
This study was called ‘Parenting Today in Victoria’, and painted a picture of how Victoria’s parents think and feel about parenting, their relationships with their children and the information and supports they use.
In 2019 and 2022 we repeated the study.
By doing this periodic check-in with a representative sample of Victoria’s parents, we’re able to better understand how parents are faring, the parenting practices being used in the community, how parents are accessing and using services, and how we might be able to strengthen and improve the supports we offer parents.
If you need help turning this evidence into action and impact, get in touch with our team here.
primary caregivers of children under 19 years
women
men
Aged between
identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
from urban areas
from regional and remote areas
were the child's biological mother or father
Parents were interviewed in English or one of five community languages.
Findings from our 2022 survey found that most parents feel confident in their parenting, and have someone they trust who they can turn to for support.
However, the survey also found that many continue to be challenged by their child(ren)’s sleeping patterns or habits, and are concerned with their child(ren)’s technology usage. Many also reported that they themselves struggle with their mental health. And there were some particular challenges reported by parents of children with complex needs.
We’ve summarised the main findings of the survey below, categorised by focus area. For further information on each of these focus areas, head to the bottom of the page and download the study’s Technical Report for 2022.
were confident in their parenting
said they find parenting rewarding
said they often used positive strategies such as praise for good behaviour
However, parents of adolescent children were less likely to say they often used positive strategies such as praise for good behaviour:
| 0-2 years | |
|---|---|
| 3-5 years | |
| 6-12 years | |
| 13-18 years |
When asked about what they wish they did differently:
said they regret their impatience
with their children
wished they were more consistent
in their parenting
34% of fathers and
42% of mothers
felt
too tired to be the parents they want to be
When asked if they find parenting
challenging:
said they argued with or yelled at their child
quite a lot or very much
said parenting is frustrating
said parenting is demanding
said they smack their child when they misbehave
said their children's sleep was a problem for them
When asked about reading at home:
of babies and toddlers were being read to 7 days a week
When asked if they have positive interactions with
their children's educators:
were satisfied with communications with their child's educators
| 0-2 years | |
|---|---|
| 3-5 years | |
| 6-12 years | |
| 13-18 years |
However, parents of secondary school aged children reported relatively less satisfaction than parents of younger children
felt welcome at their child's school, kinder or childcare
| 0-2 years | |
|---|---|
| 3-5 years | |
| 6-12 years | |
| 13-18 years |
However, parents of older children were less likely to agree they felt welcome
When parents of school aged children were asked about homework:
said homework is important for children's learning
felt the amount of homework their child is given is ‘about right’
said they see it as their job to help their child with homework
When asked about if they are worried about technology use:
of parents (of children aged 3-18 years) reported that their child playing computer games or with electronic devices was a problem.
of parents 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' they used their own mobile phone or device too much
When asked if they feel support is close at hand:
have someone they can turn to for parenting advice
said they would know where to go if they needed professional help with their child's behavioural problems
said they would know where to go if they needed professional help with their child's emotional problems
said they are satisfied with the help they received from GPs or other health professionals
After family, the internet is the biggest source of information for parenting with
of parents saying that they use the internet for parenting information
When asked if they feel supported by their partner:
felt understood and supported by their parenting partner
felt child care and parenting duties are shared fairly
Fathers were happier than mothers with the way parenting and child care duties are shared in the family
When asked about how they look after themselves:
said they regularly do things to relax and re-energise
Fathers are more likely to do something for themselves regularly to relax and re-energise than mothers.
When asked about their mental health:
reported good mental health
reported moderate levels of current psychological distress
reported serious levels of current psychological distress
Fathers reported
better mental health
than mothers
When asked about physical health:
reported good physical health
Many parents report feeling time-poor:
of parents were dissatisfied or had mixed feelings about the amount of time they could give their children
34% of fathers and 42% of mothers said their workplace isn't flexible enough, or they had mixed feelings about it
felt they don't have enough time to get everything done
Our survey found that parents of children with complex needs, such as a learning difficulty or chronic health issue, are not faring as well as parents of children without complex needs on a range of outcomes.
Parents of children with complex needs say that parenting is more demanding...
With complex needs |
|
|---|---|
Without complex needs |
...and they are less confident in their parenting:
| With complex needs | |
|---|---|
| Without complex needs |
Parents of children with complex needs are less likely to say they regularly do things to relax and re-energise:
With complex needs |
|
|---|---|
Without complex needs |
Parents of children with complex needs are less likely to report good mental health and more likely to report distress:
Good mental health
With complex needs |
|
|---|---|
Without complex needs |
Moderate levels of current psychological distress
| With complex needs | |
|---|---|
| Without complex needs |
Serious levels of current psychological distress
With complex needs |
|
|---|---|
Without complex needs |
Parents of children with complex needs are less likely to report good physical health:
With complex needs |
|
|---|---|
Without complex needs |
The Victorian Government is committed to providing evidence-based services and supports to all families, and critical to this is a thorough understanding of parents concerns and challenges. Through the Parenting Today in Victoria survey, the Parenting Research Centre is helping us ensure that all children and families have the support they need.
Policy maker, Victorian Government
The Parenting Research Centre specialises in helping leaders, policymakers and practitioners to design, adapt, implement and evaluate effective and evidence-based tools and programs to support thriving families.
Have you seen something in the ‘Parenting Today in Victoria: 2022’ findings that you’d like to chat about, or is particularly relevant to your organisation or program? Get in touch with our team of experts to find out how we can help.
To dig into the detailed findings for each of the focus areas, download the study's Research Briefs below.
While most parents are confident they can identify child mental health concerns and know where to go for professional support for these concerns, about a quarter of parents are unsure where to go.
DOWNLOADOverall, fathers say parenting is rewarding, but many say they struggle to balance paid employment and family life. While some fathers are missing out on the parenting support they need, our findings suggest that online parenting information shows promise in meeting their needs.
DOWNLOADParenting programs have a strong evidence base for improving outcomes for children and for parents themselves. Many parents are interested in attending parenting programs, yet are not aware how to access them.
DOWNLOADOur findings suggest that around 1 in 3 parents may be struggling with guilt or shame about their parenting. Prompting parents to be more self-compassionate might reduce their guilt and shame, help them navigate the challenges of parenting and improve their wellbeing.
DOWNLOAD