By: Marie Peacock

Marie Peacock — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:04:10 +0000

An excellent review. The Good Childhood Enquiry has done a lot of excellent work but it stands alone without any clear direction for the future, as far as I can tell. Anyway I fail to see how its research regarding the state of childhood/family life in the UK will lead to any fundamental changes in national or local policy when it comes to ‘The Family’. In fact family and parenting policy seems paralysed by the complexity of the systems. We need more cross departmental discussion (not necessarily linked to schools which should be a separate dept in my view, such is its importance) for example more discussion around taxation, family/young people’s leisure and recreation, transport etc
With regard to family taxation we need income splitting or transferable tax allowances so that families can choose to be taxed as a household (at present you can have two couples on the same household income, one with kids and one without, and unbelievably it’s the couple raising kids who are burdened with paying most tax!). The money should follow the child - at present both parents are encouraged, through social and economic pressure, to work outside the home. But the parentcarer receives no incentive/recognition despite the fact the home learning environment is clearly key to a child’s success and happiness. In fact a parent who can’t work due to caring commitments is not considered a ‘carer’. Why not? Raising a child - especially three or four children, to adulthood, is a huge project requiring a great deal of commitment and expertise from the parent who forfeits an income to do this most important of jobs. Yet at present there is no recognition or support.
With regards to Leisure and recreation, when it comes to entrance prices charged, I suggest all children should be considered children until they leave education at 18 (instead families in UK are expected to pay full ‘adult’ costs from aged 12/14/16 years old). No wonder families can’t afford to ‘play together’ and share experiences/days out together. School transport should be free to all children 18 and under.
Instead of children’s centres/statutory services alone, we should make sure that voluntary agencies are supported/recognised for the preventative, universal, community based family work they carry out - for example Home Start volunteers and other charities which provide support based on the values of ‘relationships and community’ rather than trying to build an army of paid ‘parenting experts or specialists’ (arguably there are very few effective paid experts when it comes to parenting - what’s needed is parenting experience, empathy, friendship, non judgmental attitude, sensitivity, patience, emotional intelligence, common sense and a belief in family values and importance of community). We need to put the joy back into family life, instead families are worn down by debt, loneliness, isolation and inability to enjoy local amenities - swimming pools, cinema, art projects, dance, sport etc - due to prohibitive costs of transport and leisure facilities for families.
The balance in UK needs to tip back in favour of ‘time for parenting and family life’. This includes time for friendship and neighbours and community. Family policy based on the value of relationships/people/children might make things better - but it will take time.
And we need also to stop thinking about more work (and therefore more childcare) as the way out of child poverty. This only creats another layer of povery - ie emotional and relational poverty which in itself creates financial poverty - a vicious circle. Childcare only encourages more consumerism and less family time. It is not the answer to the problems we face when it comes to ‘a good childhood’. Family life needs to be affordable on just one income and then one and a half incomes when the time is right (it’s not a gender issue - later on it can be mum or dad) . Some people may be able to have two incomes with lots of help from close family members living nearby - but this should not be presented as the ‘norm’ - and certainly house prices should not reflect two full time adult incomes - this was a fundamental mistake and has been disastrous for everyone, mostly our children and our children’s children.
Oh - and lastly - invest in cycle paths throughout the UK, whatever it takes. It is proven to improve wellbeing and is hugely beneficial for adults and children alike - especially when out and about together taking in the surroundings, healthy and fun in the great outdoors (instead of stuck in front of the TV/ X box, Play Station or suchlike). I’m serious - but this too will take an enormous amount of investment and vision.

Comments on: ‘A Good Childhood’ by Richard Layard and Judy Dunn

By: Marie Peacock