Washington, D.C. January 12, 2026 – The National Parents Union (NPU) today released Attack on American Childhood, a comprehensive report detailing how economic strain, educational decline, healthcare instability, and community safety concerns are converging to make children’s lives in America increasingly difficult. The report builds on NPU’s latest national parent poll, which shows deep anxiety about the country’s direction and the future facing today’s children.
“Every day – sometimes every hour – another crisis hits American families. Parents are holding everything together through nonstop chaos, but something has to give,” said Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union.
“We finally pushed our elected leaders to acknowledge the affordability crisis crushing families, and now our priorities are shoved aside as Washington focuses on foreign conflicts while violence escalates in our communities. Our leaders are distracted. Our children are struggling. Instability is becoming the norm, and the threat to childhood is real. Families are sounding the alarm, and Washington needs to stop ignoring our pain and start delivering real solutions,” Rodrigues continued.
Key Findings from Attack on American Childhood
The report identifies major forces making childhood harder in America today:
Rising costs are destabilizing families. Half of parents say the cost of living is the most urgent issue facing the country, and nearly one in four struggle to afford basic necessities. Families report that escalating expenses, groceries, rent, healthcare, childcare, and extracurriculars, are directly limiting their children’s stability and opportunities.
Parents are losing confidence in the country’s direction. Nearly half believe the U.S. is on the wrong track, and a majority say economic conditions are worsening, fueling fears about their children’s futures.
Public education is not meeting children’s needs. While some parents express general satisfaction with schools, most believe the system needs major or complete overhaul. They cite school safety, unequal access to high‑quality learning, and weak preparation for the future as urgent problems.
Healthcare and basic supports are increasingly unreliable. Two‑thirds of parents say improving healthcare access must be a top priority, especially as families await clarity on Affordable Care Act tax credits and other essential programs. This uncertainty leaves many anxious about their children’s health and well‑being.
Parents Are Ready for Action
Across the report, families describe systems failing their children, skipping medical care because they lack insurance, taking on debt to cover food and housing, and feeling ignored by policymakers. These pressures are reshaping what parents expect from leaders, and they’re calling for clear priorities: economic relief that makes essentials affordable, a public education system that delivers safety and opportunity, and stronger community supports for safety, mental health, early learning, and family stability.
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/