6/25: Kids Today More Difficult to Raise…Teens Most Troublesome

Most U.S. residents — 83% — believe it’s harder to raise a child today than it was in previous generations.  This includes eight in ten households with children younger than 18.

©istockphoto.com/hannamonika

©istockphoto.com/hannamonika

Although more than three-quarters of Americans across the age spectrum say the current generation is more difficult to bring up, older Americans tip the scales.   A whopping 90% of those 60 years of age or older think this is the case, 82% between the ages of 45 and 59 agree, and 79% of Americans 30 to 44 years old share this view.  A similar proportion of residents 29 years old or younger — 78% — say this is true.

And, just which age group is considered to be the most challenging?  Two thirds of Americans — 66% — say it’s the teen years.  16% believe the pre-teen years are the most trying while 7% think toddlers and preschoolers put adults through their paces.  Perhaps, surprisingly, fewer Americans with minors in their household — 62% — compared with 69% of those without them say the teen years are the hardest for child rearing.

Younger Americans, though, say, “Hey!  We’re not so bad!”  Just 47% of those 18 to 29 think the teen years are the most troublesome.  Perhaps they’ll change their minds when they live through those years again with their own kids.  66% of Americans 30 to 44 and 67% of 45 to 59 year olds view teens as most trying.  77% of those 60 and older agree.

Table:  Easier to Raise Child Now?

Table:  Most Difficult Time to Raise Child

Marist Poll Methodology

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