Caring for an aging parent is one of life’s most meaningful — and challenging — experiences. For adults who grew up as only children, that task often comes without support. No siblings to share the stress, split costs or take turns during long nights — just one person carrying the entire load.

And it’s a growing issue. Single-child families are becoming more common in the United States, increasing from about 10% to 20% in recent decades. This means more aging parents will be relying on just one adult child for care.

Now, research from the University of Missouri confirms what many adult only children have long felt: Caregiving is hard — and it’s even harder when you’re doing it alone.

A new study shows that factual knowledge can reduce polarization on contentious topics. Participants who engaged with balanced facts about gun control shifted toward more moderate policy views—an effect that lasted even after a month. The findings suggest that, contrary to popular belief, people are open to learning facts that challenge their beliefs and that accurate information can promote a healthier discourse.