Most people think parents are justified in expelling their teenage children from the family home if they commit a crime or become abusive, according to a poll for the charity NCH. 55 per cent of respondents said young people should lose the right to stay in the family home if they became involved in crime. Seven out of ten said they should go if they became violent or abusive, and just under half (48 per cent) if they were using drugs. One in eight said parents would be justified in rejecting a girl who became pregnant, and a third thought a teenager who failed to contribute to the household income should be thrown out.
A separate study by the charity of users of its own projects found that parents generally had a strong commitment to their teenagers but often didn’t know how to cope. They are often reluctant to discuss their children’s behaviour and don’t go to professionals for help because of the stigma attached and the fear that things would be taken completely out of their hands.
The charity is calling for more understanding of the problems some parents are facing and better access to support services for families with teenagers. It has produced an advice and information, available at www.nch.org.uk/endofmytether or by calling 08457 626579.
