Social media convey unrealistic image of parents
Social media creates misleading images of perfect families, driving parents to despair. According to a survey by the non-profit organization Home-Start Scotland, parents feel increasingly pressured.
Many parents feel pressured by the ideals conveyed by images on Facebook and Instagram, but don't ask for help - often out of shame.
"Parents must be authentic"
"This pressure has always been there. It already starts in the nursery, where some children learn certain things faster than others. But because parents are confronted with exaggerated ideals several times a day via their smartphones, it's becoming more intense today. But instead of being perfect, parents should rather be authentic, because only then can children learn something. They have to approach their children and not pretend that problems don't exist," advises Veronika Lippert, chairwoman of Elternwerkstatt, in an interview with the Pressetext news agency.
Home-Start Scotland surveyed 1500 parents for the study. 62 percent of respondents feel pressured by social media. Half believe that parents are ashamed of not being able to live up to the ideals set there and therefore don't dare ask for help when they feel overwhelmed.
According to Home-Start Scotland, parents typically do not seek counseling for problems until after six to nine months.
Social media are "rose-colored glasses"
"Many people don't feel able to talk openly about problems with children. Parents are under pressure to be perfect. Instagram, Facebook and other social platforms present reality through rose-colored glasses and show an unattainable image of perfect parents," the study says.
The authors emphasize that parents must seek advice if they feel overwhelmed. They should not base their goals on the unrealistic images they see in social media. (pte)
