Mothers' Views on Big Business and Trust
June 28, 2024
Rapid Poll

In June 2024, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on major industries and corporate accountability — identifying which sectors mothers find most concerning for families and capturing open-ended feedback directed at corporate leaders. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey measured industry-level concern, sentiment toward business leadership, and the institutional pressure points families navigate daily. Mothers showed strong cross-partisan alignment on deep mistrust of corporate decision-making, with consistent concern that profit is prioritized over children's safety and family well-being.

Related themes:

Shared Priorities and Cross-Partisan Alignment Among Mothers

Family Economic Security and Cost Pressures

  • Food, tech, and health insurance topped mothers' concerns about industries impacting families. Food and drug manufacturers were the most troubling industry (58.5%), followed by tech companies (41.8%) and health insurance companies (41.4%).
  • 80% of mothers expressed negative sentiment toward business leaders when asked what they would say to corporate executives — reflecting a shared perception of harm, lack of accountability, and disregard for families.
  • Mothers raised heightened concern about social media and healthcare delivery. Social media was identified as uniquely harmful due to addiction and mental health impacts; healthcare providers were cited for rushed, dismissive, or ineffective care.
  • Childcare and education emerged as systemic pressure points despite not being traditionally viewed as corporate sectors. Mothers raised concerns about affordability, access, and increasing privatization.
  • Cross-partisan alignment despite ideological differences. Mothers across the political spectrum consistently conveyed that families feel unprotected and deprioritized by major institutions — a bipartisan message that emerged independent of partisan framing.

Source: Count on Mothers, Mothers' Views on Big Business and Trust, June 2024. Nationally representative survey of U.S. mothers, n=650, weighted across political ideology and region. Research led by a PhD-credentialed researcher and an MPH data scientist.

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Explore Count on Mothers reports — rapid polls and in-depth national studies.

Methodology
Count on Mothers conducts nationally representative research with U.S. mothers, weighted to reflect the population and reported in aggregate. Research is led by a PhD + MPH team. Findings have informed policy, industry, and media, and entered the Congressional Record on childcare, paid leave, and technology policy.
Rapid Poll

Issues that Matter Most to Mothers

From January through July 2024, Count on Mothers identified the issues mothers most want federal policymakers to address related to their children's health and safety. The two-stage study began with an open-ended question to mothers over six months, then tested the emerging themes through a structured follow-up survey of mothers across regions and the political spectrum. Five issues consistently rose to the top — substance use, abortion and reproductive health, healthcare access and cost, food access and nutrition, and childcare affordability — with striking consistency across geography, education, and ideology in both what mothers prioritize and the underlying stresses shaping family life.
July 31, 2024
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Rapid Poll

Mothers' Views on Big Business and Trust

In June 2024, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on major industries and corporate accountability — identifying which sectors mothers find most concerning for families and capturing open-ended feedback directed at corporate leaders. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey measured industry-level concern, sentiment toward business leadership, and the institutional pressure points families navigate daily. Mothers showed strong cross-partisan alignment on deep mistrust of corporate decision-making, with consistent concern that profit is prioritized over children's safety and family well-being.
June 28, 2024
View Report →
In-depth

The Impact of Childcare Costs on Families' Financial Security

In May 2024, Count on Mothers examined how childcare costs and access shape U.S. families' financial security — including effects on savings, work hours, net income, career advancement, and long-term earning potential. Drawing on a national sample of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey combined eight quantitative measures with an open-ended question inviting mothers to propose solutions. Findings show that childcare costs exert significant pressure on family finances, employment decisions, and long-term economic security — with patterns largely consistent across the political spectrum.
May 31, 2024
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Mothers' Views on the PROTECT Act and Youth Vaping Recommendations

In April 2024, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on federal recommendations for regulating e-cigarettes — including provisions from the PROTECT Act and the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations' Youth Vaping Epidemic Report — a study requested by the Subcommittee, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey captured firsthand experience with youth vaping and access to e-cigarette products. Mothers showed strong cross-partisan support for strengthened federal research, regulation, and enforcement to reduce youth e-cigarette use.
April 30, 2024
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