parenthood

American  

[pair-uhnt-hood, par-] / ˈpɛər əntˌhʊd, ˈpær- /

noun

1. the state, position, or relation of a parent.

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Usage

What does parenthood mean? Parenthood is the state of being a parent.A person enters parenthood when they become a parent. This most commonly happens when their child is born, but it can also happen through adoption or by marrying or becoming a partner to someone with children.The terms motherhood and fatherhood are gender-specific versions of parenthood.The related noun parenting can mean the same thing as parenthood, but it more commonly refers to the process of raising children or the methods and techniques used to do so, as in I didn’t know anything about parenting before I entered parenthood.Example: People who have not experienced parenthood probably shouldn’t be so quick to criticize how other people parent their children.

Other Word Forms

• nonparenthood noun

Etymology

Origin of parenthood

First recorded in 1855–60; parent + -hood

Example Sentences

Byrne, now an Oscar nominee for the same role, found herself having to explain that parenthood almost always comes with scheduling conflicts and answer follow-up questions about the reptilian addition to her family.

From Los Angeles Times

Single parenthood remains stigmatised in South Korea, leading most people to have children only within marriage.

From Barron's

Gary Barlow and Mark Owen had lost their record contracts, Jason Orange had abandoned his acting ambitions, and Howard Donald was quietly enjoying parenthood.

From BBC

The traditional markers of success still resonate with this generation — 78% viewed homeownership as a central life aspiration, and about two-thirds valued marriage and parenthood.

From MarketWatch

Increasingly that includes decisions about relationships and parenthood – and these choices are, in turn, shaping the future of a country in which both marriage and birth rates are falling.

From BBC