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The Guardian:
Look beyond number one

3 February 2009

Despite greater affluence, life has become more difficult for our children. According to yesterday's A Good Childhood report, this increased stress is due to the excessive individualism in our society, which produces increased family break-up, excessive pressure to consume, too much exam stress and too great inequality.

These are not nostrums but carefully documented facts, leading to specific targeted proposals. Surveys show that, since around 2000, one in six of our children have been suffering from serious emotional or behavioural problems, compared with only one in 10 some 15 years earlier. The problem arises in every social class. What causes it?

Read the full article by Richard Layard on the Guardian Online - Comment is freeLook beyond number one: Schools should take the lead in helping our young people to find a sense of purpose published 03 February 2009.

Lord Layard is co-author of the Children's Society-commissioned report A Good Childhood

Related Publications
A Good Childhood: Searching for Values in a Competitive Age by Richard Layard. Details

Related Links
Richard Layard webpage
Wellbeing Programme webpage
The Children's Society - The Good Childhood Inquiry