The Children’s Society Magazine | Spring 2009 |
09
The Good Childhood Inquiry
By the time you sit down to read this, the national independent report from
The Good Childhood
®
Inquiry commissioned by The Children’s Society will have
been published. A Good Childhood: Searching for Values in a Competitive Age
hit bookshops on 5 February. The ensuing media attention about the issues
discussed in the book is still ongoing. The topic of childhood is at the forefront
of conversations across the UK. In the next few pages we explain the issues,
the controversy and our position.
In 2006, The Children’s Society launched The Children’s Society on family How separations are handled, how well
The Good Childhood Inquiry. This was We believe that a child’s relationship informed and included children are about
to be an in-depth, independent study with their parents is pivotal in what’s going on and how much conflict
into what makes a good childhood for them achieving a good childhood. they see, all contribute to how secure and
children in Britain today. A panel of The Children’s Society recognises and happy they feel. Much of the media
experts, chaired by Judy Dunn, Research supports the wide diversity of families attention has focussed on single parent
Professor at the Institute of Psychiatry, that exists today. Research shows that families, which could be interpreted
came together from across different how parents get along is extremely negatively. Lone parents are not to blame
fields of expertise to discuss and evaluate important for children, regardless of for children’s unhappiness. However lack
evidence based on one issue – childhood. whether they’re together or not. of security and stability during a break up
Children told us they disliked it when can adversely affect a child’s wellbeing.
Family, friends, learning, lifestyle, health their parents argued. The Children’s Society supports all families.
and values were the themes of the
evidence collected from over 30,000
children and adults. Themes that
separately and together have an
unequivocal impact on the quality of
‘
I think all kids should have the right to live in a happy
place where they feel safe and loved. I haven’t felt like
childhood today. We pull out some of the
key themes of the report and highlight
that in some time but I know my parents don’t mean it.
the findings and our response.
It’s just they argue and take it out on me
Frankie, aged 14, Manchester
The report on FAMILY
Today in Britain, 70% of mothers with
’
.
babies aged between nine–12 months
go to work. This new economic
independence means women are less
dependent on a male partner. Children
whose parents separate are 50% more
likely to fail at school, have low self-
esteem, be unpopular with other
children, have more behavioural
problems, anxiety or depression. Parents,
even when their child’s welfare is of
primary concern, should not stay
together if the level of conflict
between them is very bad.
A third of British 16
year-olds live apart from
their biological father.
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