Teen-ternity Leave: The Emerging Parenting Trend Supporting Teens
Everyone has heard about maternity leave. More fathers than ever before are also taking paternity leave. But have you heard of teen-ternity, a growing trend where parents of teenagers take time off from their jobs to support their adolescent children when they need them the most?
What is Teen-ternity Leave?
Teen-ternity leave refers to a break from work that parents, typically mothers, take to spend more time with their teenage children.
This trend reflects a shift in parenting styles, as parents increasingly recognize the importance of being present in their adolescents’ lives.
It highlights the modern challenges teens face today, including intensified academic pressures, complex peer relationships, and the pervasive influence of social media.
As adolescence becomes more emotionally and socially demanding, some parents are adjusting their lifestyles to provide the support and guidance their teens need.
Why Are Some Parents Taking Teen-ternity Leave?
Parents may choose to pause their careers for various reasons. Their teenagers might be dealing with exam stress, social difficulties, or more serious mental health challenges.
A 2018 NHS study in the UK identified a gradual increase in mental health disorders among children aged 5 to 15, rising from 9.7% in 1999 and 10.1% in 2004 to 11.2% in 2017.
In the U.S., a 2021 CDC survey found a similar trend: 42% of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, up from 37% in 2019 and 28% in 2011. Additionally, 22% had seriously considered suicide, compared to 19% in 2019 and 16% in 2011.
While the exact reasons for these increases are unclear, possible factors include the impact of technology, the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising academic expectations.
Given this context, it’s understandable that some parents choose to take time off to support their teenagers through stressful or emotionally difficult periods.
Teen-ternity Leave Falls Mostly on Mothers
Naturally, taking teen-ternity leave isn’t a realistic option for every family. In many households, both parents need to work full-time to cover basic expenses.
Beyond the paycheck, parents may also rely on their jobs for healthcare benefits and retirement savings, making it difficult to take a step back.
Still, some families are managing to make it work. And in many of those cases, it’s mothers, not fathers, who are stepping away from careers to become stay-at-home or work-at-home parents.
These mothers are often willingly trading professional advancement for the chance to be more present in their teenagers’ lives.