Key to a happy childhood - Children's Society reveals priorities for happier early years
Last updated 2/1/2012 1:40:44 PM
Key to a happy childhood - Children's Society reveals priorities for happier early years
The Children's Society is calling for a radical new approach to a child's early years - its Good Childhood Report 2012 unveils six key priorities needed for a happy childhood, after interviewing more than 30,000 children aged eight to 16.
Children who have low levels of happiness are much less likely to enjoy being at home with their family, feel safe when with their friends, like the way they look and feel positive about their future.
Youngsters unhappy in this way are also more likely to be victimised, have eating disorders or be depressed.
Choice and family have the biggest impact on children's happiness, the charity suggests. It is not the structure, but the relationships within a family that children care about. Loving relationships between a child and their family are ten times more powerful than family structure in increasing well-being, it concludes.
Stability is important too, it says Children who experience a change in family members they are living with are twice as likely to experience low well-being. Almost a quarter (23%) of children who have moved home more than once over the past 12 months have low levels of well-being. Low well-being increases dramatically with age – doubling from the age of 10 (7%) to the age of 15 (14%).
Children as young as eight are aware of the financial issues their families face. Around a third say they often worry about the way they look.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who launched the report, said: 'The moral test for any society is how it treats its most vulnerable, including its children. With such understanding comes the opportunity to make changes using the six priorities that The Children's Society has identified to make sure that every child has a good childhood.'
The charity suggests the priorities needed for a happy childhood include the right conditions to learn and develop, a positive view of themselves and a respect for their identity and enough of the items and experiences that matter to them. Positive relationships with their family and friends are important as well as a safe and suitable home environment and local area. The opportunities to take part in positive activities will help them thrive, it says.
Elaine Hindal, The Children's Society's Campaign for Childhood Director, said: "We want our country to be the best place for our children to grow up."