Emily Oster on What’s Gone Wrong with Modern Parenting

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Apr 12, 2025

Emily Oster, a Professor of Economics at Brown University and founder of ParentData, shares insights on the challenges of modern parenting. She discusses how data-driven decision-making can alleviate parenting anxiety, emphasizing the importance of empirical evidence over societal norms. The conversation covers critical topics such as screen time, the impact of social media on teen mental health, and the shortcomings of public health authorities during the pandemic. Oster advocates for a balanced approach that prioritizes both child and parent well-being.

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ADVICE

Data-Driven Parenting

Question conventional wisdom and seek evidence-based answers.
Make informed decisions that align with your values and preferences, not just blanket advice.

INSIGHT

Lost Nuance

Public health messaging often simplifies complex data, losing nuance in the process.
Simplistic messaging can lead to misinterpretations and undue parental anxiety.

INSIGHT

Correlation vs. Causation

Correlation does not equal causation; many parenting studies are correlational, not causal.
Consider socioeconomic factors and other variables that might influence outcomes.

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