Parents under pressure synopsis as follows:

Relationship breakdown

·         Penelope Leach – effects of conflict on children is huge, more so than domestic violence

·         Interviewed Justine Roberts (JR) from mumsnet – it’s about how to have a good argument

·         Case study of family who went through divorce and then went to family counselling and as a result are much happier

Long hours

·         Pressure of combining work with family life. People work long hours and live away from families – victims of economy

·         Case study of children who wanted to be with parents but couldn’t as they worked such long hours. Parents stressed. Ali went on parenting course and then went part time.

Older children

·         9-15 yr olds can be left on their own – but it’s a lonely and neglected life and poor outcomes – e.g. less homework, trouble, sex, alcohol

·         Problems with kids are across the board – not split by class

·         JR Some people say you should give up work when your kids are teenagers as that’s when they need you most. Long hours culture makes it hard to make family life work

School in Brighton – Fairlight primary

·         New American scheme – FAST. Learning to create time for children with the school. Parents spend 15 mins with children – no phones, tvs etc and children take control. Head Teacher, Damien, says people aren’t giving children quality time. It’s not about trips etc that cost money, it’s simple as cooking, laughing, things that don’t cost a lot of money – Save the children fund is planning to set up 400 Fast programmes (8 week course) in UK. A trainer for FAST says that British children are the most unhappy in the world. FAST purpose is to empower parents

Absent fathers

·         Consequences of family breakup is terrible – and often leaves children without fathers

·         Case study of someone who grew up without dad – it’s affected her. Lacks a male guide – had eating problems and confidence issues

·         Girls whose fathers abandon them under five more likely to get period earlier then get into trouble

·         Jay Belsky (JB)– girls who mature earlier, more likely to get into problems – attract older boys

·         Penelope Leach – Dads are vital. Impact of father in life is huge – outcomes for later life

Working Women

·         Effect of long hours and day care on young children

·         Case study – missed first word, first walk. Was spending from 7.30-6 in childcare and behaviour changed. JB says more hours spent in childcare leads to aggressive children at school. Her child became aggressive and she thinks length of time he spent in childcare did have an effect

·         JB – bad behaviour of children who spent time in childcare, spreads through classroom and impacts on other children

·         Case study – kids who have spent 8-4 in day care from 4mnths old. Not worried about concerns. Quality of care where research was done isn’t as good as UK.

·         Edward Melhuish – high care childcare/preschool can put kids ahead

·         No conclusive argument

·         JR – do your research. Feel comfortable

Mother’s who can’t form bonds with children/post natal depression

·         PL – the essential first year. Babies brains are developed with the person they are attached to

·         Can be passed on from generation to generation

·         Self harm – 1 in 15 at the moment, on the rise. Origins of problems can be from bonding

Schools performing support service

·         Isle of man – children meet a young baby called Noah on regular basis. Class baby – Roots of empathy scheme– started in Canada - Improve parenting skills in next generation. Rolled out across Isle of Man. Helps children to develop empathy

Conclusion

·         Scandinavian are more socially aware – more support

·         Parents need to be aware that they can’t let job come home – appreciate being at home, time at home with parents and children is vital

·         PL - Conflict between work and parenting is like the elephant in the room – we have to find way of bringing things together