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Archbishop warns of child crisis Archbishop warns of child crisis
(about 2 hours later)
Children today face too much "pressure to achieve", Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has said.Children today face too much "pressure to achieve", Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has said.
The archbishop said there were too many school tests, and that a ban on adverts aimed at children and giving parenting skills help should both be considered.The archbishop said there were too many school tests, and that a ban on adverts aimed at children and giving parenting skills help should both be considered.
He pointed to statistics suggesting one in 10 children had been shown to have measurable mental health problems.He pointed to statistics suggesting one in 10 children had been shown to have measurable mental health problems.
Dr Williams was speaking as the Children's Society launched an inquiry into the state of childhood.Dr Williams was speaking as the Children's Society launched an inquiry into the state of childhood.
"The levels of testing [in schools], the relentlessness of it, the fact that teenagers don't any longer even have a year that's free of some major public tests, makes the whole educational system anxiety driven," he said."The levels of testing [in schools], the relentlessness of it, the fact that teenagers don't any longer even have a year that's free of some major public tests, makes the whole educational system anxiety driven," he said.
The archbishop said that parenting skills should also be promoted, so parents could share their problems rather being dictated to by experts. But a Department for Education spokeswoman said that children "coped well" with tests.
She said: "National tests are an integral part of effective teaching and learning, helping to identify pupils that need extra support as well as those with talents that need to be stretched.
"Teachers are well accustomed to ensuring that their children know what to expect and can cope well with the tests."
She said that children sit just three sets of national curriculum tests during their eleven years at school.
The archbishop also said that parenting skills should also be promoted, so parents could share their problems rather being dictated to by experts.
He also raised concerns about advertising, saying: "The whole thing about pester power for children, which of course advertising colludes with so often, needs challenging."He also raised concerns about advertising, saying: "The whole thing about pester power for children, which of course advertising colludes with so often, needs challenging."
Returning to workReturning to work
He felt there was too much emphasis on mothers returning to work.He felt there was too much emphasis on mothers returning to work.
"Allowing families to work more flexibly ought to work for the good of a family."Allowing families to work more flexibly ought to work for the good of a family.
"The trouble is that very often it is presented or understood primarily just in terms of getting women back to the workplace."The trouble is that very often it is presented or understood primarily just in terms of getting women back to the workplace.
"While that is about giving women... professional choices, there is cost involved as well - maybe we have not weighed that fully enough."While that is about giving women... professional choices, there is cost involved as well - maybe we have not weighed that fully enough.
Dr Williams said while child protection laws were needed to safeguard children, they produced a "bureaucratic" maze that discouraged volunteers.Dr Williams said while child protection laws were needed to safeguard children, they produced a "bureaucratic" maze that discouraged volunteers.
He described the investigation of Cherie Blair after she gave a teenager a playful slap as "completely ridiculous."He described the investigation of Cherie Blair after she gave a teenager a playful slap as "completely ridiculous."
Childhood 'changed' Childhood survey
The Children's Society is concerned about rising levels of child depression in the UK. A Children's Society survey found that 93% of 14 to 16 years old questioned said their carers or parents cared about them, while 63% thought their parents understood them.
The 11,000 questionnaire responses also found that 24% said they had "sometimes" been bullied or "picked on" because of who they are.
The charity is concerned about rising levels of child depression in the UK.
The independent inquiry is looking at all aspects of childhood amid growing concern over the health and quality of children's lives.The independent inquiry is looking at all aspects of childhood amid growing concern over the health and quality of children's lives.
HAVE YOUR SAY Children are under more pressure now than they might have been twenty years ago Laura, Yorkshire Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Children are under more pressure now than they might have been twenty years ago Laura, Yorkshire Send us your comments
Bob Reitmeier, the chief executive of the charity, said: " Our starting point is essentially that we think childhood and the way in which children experience childhood has changed dramatically even since we were children.Bob Reitmeier, the chief executive of the charity, said: " Our starting point is essentially that we think childhood and the way in which children experience childhood has changed dramatically even since we were children.
"It is time to stop, reflect and say, with all these changes taking place, is it time to review how we look at childhood and its status?""It is time to stop, reflect and say, with all these changes taking place, is it time to review how we look at childhood and its status?"
However, fertility expert Lord Winston said: "It's all very well to say that childhood depression in greatly on the increase but there's no data to support that, which why an initiative like this would be useful.However, fertility expert Lord Winston said: "It's all very well to say that childhood depression in greatly on the increase but there's no data to support that, which why an initiative like this would be useful.
"But it is important to point out this is the first such study of its kind."But it is important to point out this is the first such study of its kind.
"The very fact that previous studies have not been done means that we don't have anything to compare the present time with," he told BBC News."The very fact that previous studies have not been done means that we don't have anything to compare the present time with," he told BBC News.
Contributions soughtContributions sought
The Children's Society is concerned about a climate of "fear and confusion" among young people.The Children's Society is concerned about a climate of "fear and confusion" among young people.
The charity points to higher levels of depression and mental illness in the country than elsewhere in the European Union.The charity points to higher levels of depression and mental illness in the country than elsewhere in the European Union.
Mr Reitemeier said the inquiry would take about a year and a half, and would involve bringing together a panel of experts to look at particular themes in childhood.Mr Reitemeier said the inquiry would take about a year and a half, and would involve bringing together a panel of experts to look at particular themes in childhood.
The inquiry is chaired by Professor Judith Dunn, a child development psychologist at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, and author of Children's Friendships: The Beginning of Intimacy.The inquiry is chaired by Professor Judith Dunn, a child development psychologist at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, and author of Children's Friendships: The Beginning of Intimacy.
People are encouraged to contribute their views on what makes for a good childhood in today's society.People are encouraged to contribute their views on what makes for a good childhood in today's society.
Evidence can be submitted on a secure site www.goodchildhood.org.uk or posting their thoughts to the Children's Society.Evidence can be submitted on a secure site www.goodchildhood.org.uk or posting their thoughts to the Children's Society.
The archbishop's comments come a week after dozens of teachers joined children's authors and psychologists to write a letter to the Daily Telegraph, in which they highlighted "the escalating incidence of childhood depression".The archbishop's comments come a week after dozens of teachers joined children's authors and psychologists to write a letter to the Daily Telegraph, in which they highlighted "the escalating incidence of childhood depression".