The English like children better than teenagers, but some prefer pets
most of all, according to a new study.
Child-friendly English scrutinised
The findings are from research into whether England is a
child-friendly country by the National Children's Bureau (NCB) to mark
its 40th anniversary. The study found that as children grow up they feel less welcome in
public places and are less likely to believe that most adults are
friendly. Despite some concerns, the charity believes England has become more
child-friendly but also asks what can be done to make the younger
generations feel more at home.
NCB interviewed 385 primary school pupils, and 1,657 sixth formers.
The study also included more than 500 adults, around half of whom said
they had contact with children other than their own.
Respect
“Reassuringly, most children and young people thought that the
majority of adults were friendly towards them,” said Dr Nicola Madge,
author of the charity's Is England child-friendly enough? briefing
paper.
“As one Year 7 pupil put it, 'everyone is friendly
except the odd few'.” But some adults showed they were of the “four legs good, two legs
bad” brigade. Just over 33% of adults said they agreed that “the English love their
dogs more than their children”, while 40% said they did not.
Adults and young people agreed that the English like children better
than teenagers. All age groups agreed that adults were more polite and respectful to
young people than young people were to them. Among other questions, respondents were asked whether they thought
England was a good country to grow up in, and whether it was more or
less child-friendly than other countries.
Greater tolerance
Dr Madge said that on the plus side, adults saw England as more
democratic, with a higher standard of living and better facilities, as
well as less child abuse. But it was perceived as less tolerant and less family-orientated than
some other countries which cherish children more.
Young people welcomed the equal chances which England provides but
they had concerns about dirt, vandalism and crime.
“Several of our findings indicate tensions between the
generations,” said Dr Madge. “For example, almost one in 10 young people said they rarely felt
welcome in places such as shops, restaurants and leisure centres, while
over 50% of adults said that they felt threatened by groups of teenagers
hanging around in streets and public places. Perhaps the strongest
message arising from the research is about the need for greater
tolerance and understanding which applies to everyone, whatever their
age.”
The full report, Children these days, will be published by the NCB
early in 2004.
10 October 2003
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3172562.stm
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