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Over half of parents of young children feel lonely

More than half of parents with children under the age of five experience loneliness at least some of the time, with those on the lowest incomes twice as likely to be affected, according to new research.
A total of 18 per cent of parents with children under one said they often felt left out
A total of 18 per cent of parents with children under one said they often felt left out

Published by Coram Family and Childcare, the findings are based upon an opinion poll of 529 parents with children under five and focus groups with parents of young children in Camden, Doncaster, Plymouth, Slough and Wirral, conducted in July.

The research also reveals that more women than men experience loneliness, with twice as many mothers than fathers saying they often feel left out, as well as younger parents. Nearly two-fifths (37 per cent) of parents aged 18-24 said they often feel a lack of companionship, compared to a fifth (21 per cent) of parents aged 25-34.

Parents highlighted two distinct times when loneliness is most prevalent – around the birth of a baby, particularly if the mother or baby have health problems, and when the children are older but haven’t yet started school.

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