Tough Love
Parents who take a “tough love” approach to bringing up their children give them a better chance of doing well in life, according to a report published today.
Youngsters who receive a combination of warmth and discipline from their parents are more likely to develop crucial qualities such as self-control, empathy and determination, experts claim.
The study, by the think tank Demos, identified a gulf between the character development of children from the richest and poorest backgrounds.
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It suggests that bad parenting in working class families has caused stagnation in social mobility and opportunities for millions of British youngsters.
The research, which analysed data from more than 9,000 households, also indicates that expectant mothers with turbulent lifestyles may increase the risk of their unborn children failing to develop key skills.
Demos today calls for an end to the “conspiracy of silence” on poor parenting, urging the Government to take action to support society’s most vulnerable children and their parents.
Richard Reeves, co-author of the report and director of Demos, said: "The Right is obsessed with family structure and the institution of marriage rather than the actual job of parenting, while the Left is more comfortable with economic explanations and is terrified of appearing judgmental. The result is to deepen disadvantage for already deprived children.
"Parenting is the final frontier for issues of social justice and social mobility. No government can ignore the fact that some parents need more support than others: we must end this conspiracy of silence.
"If we want to seriously address social mobility in the UK it must start in the home and with children under the age of five."
The study found that children’s
Youngsters who receive a combination of warmth and discipline from their parents are more likely to develop crucial qualities such as self-control, empathy and determination, experts claim.
The study, by the think tank Demos, identified a gulf between the character development of children from the richest and poorest backgrounds.
RELATED ARTICLES
Tough love: do your children a favour
Cartoons 'should have movie-style ratings' to protect children from violence
'Tough love' parenting: tips on how to help children develop key life skills
It suggests that bad parenting in working class families has caused stagnation in social mobility and opportunities for millions of British youngsters.
The research, which analysed data from more than 9,000 households, also indicates that expectant mothers with turbulent lifestyles may increase the risk of their unborn children failing to develop key skills.
Demos today calls for an end to the “conspiracy of silence” on poor parenting, urging the Government to take action to support society’s most vulnerable children and their parents.
Richard Reeves, co-author of the report and director of Demos, said: "The Right is obsessed with family structure and the institution of marriage rather than the actual job of parenting, while the Left is more comfortable with economic explanations and is terrified of appearing judgmental. The result is to deepen disadvantage for already deprived children.
"Parenting is the final frontier for issues of social justice and social mobility. No government can ignore the fact that some parents need more support than others: we must end this conspiracy of silence.
"If we want to seriously address social mobility in the UK it must start in the home and with children under the age of five."
The study found that children’s