Change in relationships between
parents and children
Changes in family structure
Family life is insecure for children due to increasing diversity of family. Increase in lone parent
families which affects relationships between parents and children.
HSBC (2007)
Found only 1/60 couples fully share parenting
before a divorce. Even after the divorce, many
mothers still advise their former spouses about
how to relate to their children.
Paranoid parents
Due to cultural changes and societal changes and changes in family diversity, there are now more
concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children
Furedi (2001)
Argues that paranoid parenting has lead to parents not wanting to let
children to go out alone and has reduced independence; this has also
impacted children's fitness levels.
Changes in legislation
Government see children as being vulnerable and needing protection - responsibility of the state not
just solely individual families.
Children's Act 1989
Child's welfare is of
paramount
importannce.
Key information
Palmer (2006) - “toxic childhood” due to cultural changes
‘pacifying’ children through TV, video games etc.
Parents spend less time with children, so less
socialisation. Rise in the child consumer.