Children more welcome – until they reach teen years

In England children are held in higher esteem than teenagers,
research carried out for the National Children’s Bureau (NCB)
has revealed.

A survey of citizens of all ages found that teenagers are on
everyone’s B list and the older children get the more
disliked they feel, according to the paper ‘Is England
Child-Friendly Enough?’.

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.

Adults views echo these sentiments. Of those surveyed, 53 per
cent think that England is a friendly place for children while only
36 per cent believe the same is true for teenagers. Over a quarter
believe the country is unfriendly towards teenagers.

Overall the findings suggest England has become more
child-friendly in recent years. Just about all government
departments and public organisations acknowledge the value of
involving children in decision-making, says a fact sheet on the
research.

The recent creation of a minister for children and the
ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are
further proof of a change in emphasis, it adds.

But not everyone is convinced. One in three adults interviewed
said they agreed with the view that the English love their dogs
more than their children

Overall respondents felt England to be as child-friendly or
slightly less so than other countries. Parents though were less
enthusiastic. Over half of all mothers with children up to 19 said
England was less child-friendly than other nations.

The full research on attitudes towards children and young people
will appear in the report ‘Children These Days’ to be published in
2004.

‘Is England Child-Friendly Enough’ by Dr Nicola
Madge

The fact sheet