People have always raised kids. But the word “parenting” only became popular in the 1970s. This change made it seem like parenting was a skill you could perfect. The idea was: if you do everything right, your child will be happy and successful. Today, the parenting advice industry is huge. By 2030, parenting apps alone will be worth over $900 million. That doesn’t even count books, classes, and activities.
Social media has changed parenting advice too. Instagram and TikTok are full of parenting influencers selling courses to tired, stressed parents. But many tips from these self-called “experts” aren’t backed by science. They use scientific words like “attachment” from attachment theory, but their advice often gets the science wrong.
