childrearing

[ chahyld-reer-ing ]

noun

1. the raising and parenting of children:

   Childrearing extends beyond simple guardianship to nurturing and guidance.

adjective

1. of or relating to the raising and parenting of children:

   The majority of childrearing responsibilities are shouldered by female family members.

Word History and Origins

Origin of childrearing¹

1840–45; child ( def ) + rear ²( def ) (in the sense “to take care of to maturity”) + -ing ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Hayashi noted economic instability, difficulties in balancing work and childrearing and other complex factors as main reasons why young people have a hard time deciding to get married or raise children.

From Seattle Times

The data was released as Japan’s parliament on Wednesday approved a revision to laws designed to beef up financial support for childrearing parents or those expecting babies, as well as to widen access to childcare services and expand parental leave benefits.

From Seattle Times

“Contemporary hunter-gatherer societies can offer clues as to whether there are certain childrearing systems to which infants, and their mothers, may be psychologically adapted,” Chaudhary said in a statement.

From Salon

Many women cite the high cost of childrearing, difficulty in continuing on their career, gender discrimination and not wanting to get married as key factors for not wanting children.

From Reuters

While religious indoctrination is often entrenched in childrearing across both Indigenous and Abrahamic traditions, we humans are not limited to any single window of time when it comes to developing a faith in the divine through moments of religious ecstasy.

From Salon

More About Childrearing

What does childrearing mean?

Childrearing is the raising or parenting of a child or children.

The verb rear means to take care of, support, and raise until maturity. To rear children is to raise them. The word rearing can be used as a noun, as in the rearing of livestock. 

Childrearing refers to the overall process and effort involved with raising children, including the basics, like feeding them and keeping them healthy, as well as other aspects of nurturing them and teaching them how to behave.

Childrearing can also be used as an adjective describing such activities, as in When my wife travels for work, I have to take care of all the childrearing responsibilities.

The term childrearing can sound somewhat old-fashioned. It’s much more common to say raising children or raising kids or parenting.

Example: They say that childrearing is the hardest job you’ll ever love.

Where does childrearing come from?

The first records of the word childrearing come from the 1840s. The first records of the word rear as a verb meaning “to take care of” come from before 900. It comes from the Old English rǣran, meaning “to raise.”

When it comes to raising their kids, parents have different approaches to childrearing. But parents aren’t the only ones who perform childrearing—it’s the responsibility of anyone who’s raising a child, whether they’re a grandparent or other guardian. Older siblings are often involved in childrearing, too.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to childrearing?

• child-rearing (alternate spelling)
• child rearing (alternate spelling)

What are some synonyms for childrearing?

• raising children
• raising kids
• parenting

What are some words that share a root or word element with childrearing? 

• child
• children
• rear
• childcare

What are some words that often get used in discussing childrearing?

• parent
• guardian
• duties
• responsibilities
• upbringing
• nurturing
• raising
• taking care of

How is childrearing used in real life?

Childrearing is more formal than terms like raising kids and parenting.

So much of childrearing feels like an embrace — or a rejection — of how you were raised: http://t.co/XMBAZgHdQf pic.twitter.com/DyEU8V4iQt

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) September 7, 2015

Many Chinese women of reproductive age cite the expense of childrearing and career priorities as the reason they're delaying childbirth or not pursuing larger families. Others like @DavidFeng are worried about China's uncertain future. https://t.co/mLtRV9u68S (4/12)

— AJ+ (@ajplus) April 5, 2019

Many fathers are eager to take on a greater share of childrearing responsibilities & it's time that men's restrooms be equipped with changing tables: https://t.co/1tRdMHrf9N #SquatForChange pic.twitter.com/F2Dx1NV3j3

— The Root (@TheRoot) October 10, 2018

 

 

Try using childrearing!

Is childrearing used correctly in the following sentence?

For new parents, childrearing responsibilities can be overwhelming.