Menu
19/02/2019
NI Parents Lack Hope For Their Children's Future
Over 60% of parents in Northern Ireland are more worried than hopeful about their children's future, according to a recent study by Parenting NI.
The region's leading parenting support charity has revealed the findings from a first-of-its-kind study into the realities of parenting in Northern Ireland, which surveyed 1,192 people towards the end of last year.
The body has since called for the restoration of the power-sharing institutions at Stormont to facilitate change and allow government ministers to address the concerns expressed in the report.
Parents overwhelmingly identified more challenges than opportunities for their children, with their main concerns being the impact of technology and social media on young people, along with mental health and the cost of childcare.
Many expressed frustration at the current political uncertainty and conveyed their fears that important decisions are not being made which is having a damaging impact on health and education budgets. This in turn is putting more pressure on families, with long waiting lists for services and parents being asked to plug the funding gap in schools.
Another worrying figure is that 82% of survey participants said they do not feel parents get enough support. Their answers indicated that they felt society was not very supportive of those in a parenting role and that more could be done to raise awareness of the services available to them.
Jenny Smithson, a mother to 3 daughters, spoke of her experience: "I am generally an optimist, but even the most optimistic parent has concerns. And even the most confident parent has moments when they think - I'm nowhere near up to this task. I have concerns about keeping my children safe online and worry about the impact that social media might have. I hope that it won't shape my girls identity - that the number of likes/followers or whatever else won't become more important to them than life outside the screen.
"I also worry about the impact this has on young people's mental health and trying to teach my children how to deal with their emotions is something that I have found really challenging. So many of the concerns of a parent are navigating new fears, things that didn't exist when we were kids, or maybe even the same things, that now seem very different when it is our children facing them. The world may in many ways seem more daunting, and unstable than it has been, and in general it seems as though hope is at a low ebb. We must not put our heads in the sand."
Charlene Brooks, Chief Executive at Parenting NI commented: "The findings from this report are deeply concerning. Parents are telling us that they have serious concerns about their children's future in Northern Ireland and have little hope that it will get better any time soon. We are calling on those in policy making / commissioning roles to give parents a reason to be hopeful again. A lot of the issues parents are concerned about cannot be addressed without a government; we need to have decisions made on policies and strategies that will work to the benefit of families in Northern Ireland."
(JG/MH)
The region's leading parenting support charity has revealed the findings from a first-of-its-kind study into the realities of parenting in Northern Ireland, which surveyed 1,192 people towards the end of last year.
The body has since called for the restoration of the power-sharing institutions at Stormont to facilitate change and allow government ministers to address the concerns expressed in the report.
Parents overwhelmingly identified more challenges than opportunities for their children, with their main concerns being the impact of technology and social media on young people, along with mental health and the cost of childcare.
Many expressed frustration at the current political uncertainty and conveyed their fears that important decisions are not being made which is having a damaging impact on health and education budgets. This in turn is putting more pressure on families, with long waiting lists for services and parents being asked to plug the funding gap in schools.
Another worrying figure is that 82% of survey participants said they do not feel parents get enough support. Their answers indicated that they felt society was not very supportive of those in a parenting role and that more could be done to raise awareness of the services available to them.
Jenny Smithson, a mother to 3 daughters, spoke of her experience: "I am generally an optimist, but even the most optimistic parent has concerns. And even the most confident parent has moments when they think - I'm nowhere near up to this task. I have concerns about keeping my children safe online and worry about the impact that social media might have. I hope that it won't shape my girls identity - that the number of likes/followers or whatever else won't become more important to them than life outside the screen.
"I also worry about the impact this has on young people's mental health and trying to teach my children how to deal with their emotions is something that I have found really challenging. So many of the concerns of a parent are navigating new fears, things that didn't exist when we were kids, or maybe even the same things, that now seem very different when it is our children facing them. The world may in many ways seem more daunting, and unstable than it has been, and in general it seems as though hope is at a low ebb. We must not put our heads in the sand."
Charlene Brooks, Chief Executive at Parenting NI commented: "The findings from this report are deeply concerning. Parents are telling us that they have serious concerns about their children's future in Northern Ireland and have little hope that it will get better any time soon. We are calling on those in policy making / commissioning roles to give parents a reason to be hopeful again. A lot of the issues parents are concerned about cannot be addressed without a government; we need to have decisions made on policies and strategies that will work to the benefit of families in Northern Ireland."
(JG/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 June 2015
Majority Of Children Placed In Pre-School Of Their Choice
The majority of children, whose parents applied for a pre-school slot during the schools' admission process, have been allocated a place. The Department of Justice said over 23,400 or 99.
Majority Of Children Placed In Pre-School Of Their Choice
The majority of children, whose parents applied for a pre-school slot during the schools' admission process, have been allocated a place. The Department of Justice said over 23,400 or 99.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
24 October 2008
Movilla Strike Day 10: Parents' Anger
Parents of pupils at a Newtownards high school - that has remained closed for two weeks – have raised concerns about the affect the teachers' strike is having on their children's education. It has now been suggested that some pupils at Movilla High School could receive classes elsewhere, as the industrial action looks set to enter its third week.
Movilla Strike Day 10: Parents' Anger
Parents of pupils at a Newtownards high school - that has remained closed for two weeks – have raised concerns about the affect the teachers' strike is having on their children's education. It has now been suggested that some pupils at Movilla High School could receive classes elsewhere, as the industrial action looks set to enter its third week.
23 May 2002
Lone parents urged to avail of New Deal
Social Development Minister Nigel Dodds has urged lone parents to improve their employment opportunities and broaden their life choices by participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents. Speaking at the launch of “Choices 2” - a magazine aimed at lone parents in Northern Ireland - Mr Dodds said: "Information equals opportunity.
Lone parents urged to avail of New Deal
Social Development Minister Nigel Dodds has urged lone parents to improve their employment opportunities and broaden their life choices by participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents. Speaking at the launch of “Choices 2” - a magazine aimed at lone parents in Northern Ireland - Mr Dodds said: "Information equals opportunity.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
