Modern-day parenting needs better support

August 28, 2026 - 16:59

A few decades ago, becoming a parent in Bangladesh rarely felt like starting from zero. A new mother had her own mother to ask for help. A father could rely on uncles, cousins, and neighbors who had raised children before. Childcare was woven into daily life, not outsourced or scheduled. That is no longer the case. Today, many young families live far from their extended relatives. Both parents often work, sometimes long hours, and the old support system has quietly disappeared.

The result is a generation of exhausted caregivers trying to figure things out alone. They scroll through parenting forums at midnight, second-guess every fever, and feel guilty for not enjoying every moment. The pressure is worse for mothers who face judgment from in-laws and employers alike. Meanwhile, public services remain thin. There are few affordable daycare centers, no paid parental leave for most private-sector workers, and almost no mental health support for new parents.

This is not a private problem. It is a structural failure. When parents are isolated, children pay the price in stress and inconsistent care. When mothers drop out of the workforce because childcare is impossible, the economy loses. The government, businesses, and community organizations all have a role to play. We need workplace policies that recognize parenting as real work. We need neighborhood-based childcare cooperatives and better access to pediatric advice. Most of all, we need to stop romanticizing the idea that raising a child is a solo project.

Parenting has never been easy, but it used to be shared. Rebuilding that shared responsibility is not a luxury. It is a necessity for the health of families and the future of the country.