A recent Los Angeles Times commentary is shining a light on a reality millions of young people know firsthand: children and teens are providing significant care for family members, often without being recognized or supported.
In an August 4 commentary for the Los Angeles Times, writer Lisa McCarty shares her experience of becoming her mother’s primary caregiver at age 13 after her mother suffered a traumatic brain injury.
McCarty describes helping her mother with everyday needs including dressing, eating, walking and managing bills. What changed in an instant was not simply her family’s circumstances. Her childhood changed, too.
Her story is deeply personal, but it reflects a much larger national issue. Approximately 5.4 million children in the United States provide care for family members, according to research cited in the commentary. The article also points to the academic, physical, emotional and social effects that caregiving responsibilities can have when young people do not have adequate support.
The Issue Is Here in Colorado, Too
For CACY, this national conversation reinforces what Colorado data are already telling us.
Approximately 20.4% of Colorado middle school students and 12.5% of high school students report caring for a family member. In some school districts, that number reaches 31%.
Caregiving responsibilities can take many forms. A young person may prepare meals, help with medication, provide transportation or mobility assistance, care for siblings, or offer emotional support to a family member who is ill, injured, disabled or experiencing age-related needs.
Yet these responsibilities are not always visible when a student walks into a classroom, visits a healthcare provider or participates in activities with friends.
A caregiving youth can be responsible, resilient and successful while still needing support.
Recognition Is Where Support Begins
That is why identifying caregiving youth matters.
CACY works with schools, healthcare providers and community organizations to increase awareness, elevate youth voices and help build systems that recognize and respond to young caregivers. Our goal is not to diminish the love and commitment young people may have for their families. It is to make sure they do not have to navigate caregiving responsibilities unseen and unsupported.
As national conversations like this one continue, we have an opportunity to ask a simple but important question:
Who is caring for the caregiver when the caregiver is still a child?
CACY is working toward a Colorado where the answer begins with recognition, understanding and support.
Caregiving youth deserve to be visible, valued and supported.
Read Lisa McCarty’s full commentary in the Los Angeles Times:
Too many kids are forced to grow up too soon, especially girls
Learn more about CACY: cacycares.org
