How has the Covid-19 crisis impacted parents’ relationships with their children?

Summary

While the Covid-19 crisis may have created unprecedented challenges for parents and children, it appears to have strengthened relationships for many families.
This Policy Briefing discusses results from the May COVID-19 survey of Understanding Society, a longitudinal household study that has collected data since 2009. We analysed the answers of 5566 parents who answered the parent-child relationship questions.
About a quarter of parents reported that their relationship with their children had become better since the government’s stay at home policy. Fewer than 5% reported it had become worse.
However, while for many it has proved a positive experience, it is important to take note of the difficulties faced by certain groups. This will help families face future challenges posed by the continuing pandemic crisis.