Months after Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Foundation launched national survey in the U.K. on early childcare and development across the country, Kate Middleton revealing the results stated that the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have increased the feeling of loneliness among parents. ALSO READ | Good News! EPFO Extends Time Limit Upto 28 February 2021 For Pensioners To Submit Jeevan Pramaan Patra

"Parental loneliness has dramatically increased during the pandemic — from 38 per cent before to 63 per cent — as parents have been cut off from friends and family," Kate stated.



Unveiling the insights from Kate’s 5 Big Questions survey as well as other studies, including one on how families have been affected by the COVID-19, she mentioned that parents are most likely to mention friends and family as trusted sources of support in bringing up their children, with their own parents coming top. But for much of this year, we’ve been separated from the immediate support networks so many of us rely on.

"Those living in deprived areas were more than twice as likely to feel lonely," the research said.



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The findings further analysed and reached a conclusion that 98 per cent of people believe nurture is essential to lifelong outcomes, but just one in four recognize the specific importance of the first five years of a child’s life.

Only 10 per cent of parents mentioned taking the time to look after their own wellbeing when asked how they had prepared for the arrival of their baby.

Moreover, 70 per cent of parents feel judged by others and among these parents, nearly half feel this negatively impacts their mental health.