NEW YORK (WKBW) — The Raising New York coalition partnered with Global Strategy Group to conduct a survey among New York parents to determine the impact COVID-19 is having on families.
The online survey was conducted from April 18 to April 22, 2020. 402 parents of children under the age of four in New York State responded to the survey with the results showing many are struggling with several different issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below you can find the key takeaways from the survey:
- Parents of infants and toddlers are experiencing intense financial insecurity
16 percent of parents are now unemployed or dealing with a temporary loss of work, 34 percent of parents have had their hours or pay reduced or have had to take time off to care for their children. 67 percent say they worry they will face one of these issues in the future.
- Many parents are skipping or reducing their family’s meals
34 percent of parents say they have skipped or reduced the size of their own meals, 11 percent say they have skipped or reduced the size of meals for their children.
- COVID-19 has been disruptive and put parents’ and young children’s well-being at risk
77 percent of parents say the coronavirus crisis has significantly disrupted their home and family lives, with 75 percent worried about their own and their family's mental health as a result. 68 percent of parents worry their child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development will suffer as a result. There is also a high concern of the impact substance abuse and domestic violence will have on families.
- Parents have changed child care arrangements and other parenting supports
Before COVID-19, 41 percent of parents relied on child care services and 42 percent had at least one parent staying home to care for the child. Now, 5 percent report their child care provider is open and 80 percent report there is at least one parent at home.
- Parents would welcome government support
92 percent of parents say they support investing more public funds to expand access to quality, affordable child care and preschool for families with young children.
For more information you can visit the Raising New York website here.
