Majority of UK families ‘at risk of crisis’

Over 80% of families in the UK are at risk of crisis, according to the charity 4Children.

Figures released today show the prevalence of disruptive and potentially damaging experiences and challenges within households that may not necessarily be defined as “problem families”.

4Children surveyed more than 2,000 adults about their exposure to serious problems that can trigger relationship breakdown

The highest-rated “serious problem” was divorce or separation, of which 43% of respondents had experience. The next highest (40%.) was redundancy or long-term unemployment. Twenty-seven percent of families experienced the death of a non-elderly, immediate family member.

Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said: “We know that all families go through tough times. How well families cope with these problems makes all the difference as to whether they can stay together and their children can flourish.

“We need to stop crisis-managing families and instead provide more support early on so they have the strength and skills needed to overcome the problems that will inevitably arise.”

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