We commonly think of children as being worried about the future of the planet and what life holds for them.
But in fact youngsters are more optimistic than adults on many of life’s major issues, according to an official report published today.
The Big Ambition report, by England’s Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza, found that 84 per cent of the children surveyed agreed they can access good healthcare when they need it. But in cases where adults were asked that same question – on behalf of children who were either too young to respond themselves or had additional needs – the number agreeing fell to 74 per cent.
Asked if they knew about ‘good jobs for when you are older’, 76 per cent of children agreed, but that fell to 54 per cent of the adult respondents.
The report also shows that the majority of children say they are happy they have all they need in their home life. But while it also shows this generation is engaged with the world, it found they are frustrated that politicians are not listening to their concerns. Just 22 per cent of them agreed that those who run the country listened to them, making it the most negatively answered question in the survey.
A group of primary school children. Youngsters are more optimistic than adults on many of life’s major issues, according to an official report published today (stock image)
The Big Ambition report, by England’s Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza (pictured), found that 84 per cent of the children surveyed agreed they can access good healthcare when they need it
Dame Rachel said: ‘This is a generation of children faced with ever-evolving technology, stiff competition for jobs and university places, a postcode lottery in access to good healthcare, parents struggling with rising costs and lives played out over social media. But rather than becoming despondent or pessimistic, they are charged with energy and a passion for making change.
‘Yet – disappointingly – only one in five feel listened to by the adults in power. Without the proper structures in place to consult with them, it means when it comes to elections, manifestos… their opinions are too easily ignored.’
The report did highlight concerns about body image, with just 49 per cent of children agreeing with the statement ‘you feel happy with the way you look’. Only four out of ten girls agreed, and six out of ten boys.
Dame Rachel said The Big Ambition was ‘a call to action to all politicians and policy makers in this general election year’.
The document sets out 33 ambitions to transform childhood, including annual health checks, support within one term for children with additional needs, and more support for families with living costs.
The report was based on responses from 367,000 children and adults. Eighty-five per cent of responses came from children, and 15 per cent from parents, carers and other adults.
This should put paid to the talk of a generation of doom-mongers
Commentary by Cristine Odone
What a remarkable achievement. With The Big Ambition, a survey of tens of thousands of youngsters in England, Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza has managed to find out what young people want from the next government.
This gigantic work of research puts paid to all talk of a ‘disenfranchised’ and ‘unresponsive’ generation.
Instead it reveals an admirable willingness to engage with issues – and politicians. While a doom-laden narrative depicts youngsters as depressed and despairing, The Big Ambition finds something far more encouraging: the overwhelming majority feel good about their lives.
They report having what they need, in terms of family and home.
Admittedly, only one in five feels that adults in power are listening to them – but I doubt this was different in any previous generation.
And instead of carping from the sidelines, respondents have come up with solutions, ranging from more after-school activities to address youth crime, to more community facilities for forging friendships.
But while their children show huge initiative and a go-getting spirit, the thousands of parents who took part in the survey betray growing anxieties. In almost every area, their answers were more negative than those of their children.
They worry about their sons’ and daughters’ safety, health and well-being. Unsurprisingly, these fretful mums and dads describe raising children as deeply challenging. Then there’s the cost of living, social media harms and faltering health and social services. Who could blame them for feeling overwhelmed?
Cristina Odone says: What a remarkable achievement. With The Big Ambition, a survey of tens of thousands of youngsters in England, Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza has managed to find out what young people want from the next government
Previous generations struggled with economic crashes, school bullies, inadequate support for conditions that in many cases remained unidentified – but parents back then approached child-rearing with greater confidence.
Nowadays they are assailed with fears which they project on to their offspring. The crucial difference, surely, lies in parental expectations.
Earlier generations did not see their role as protecting children from every setback, unhappy incident or bruising exchange. Parents understood that life had ups and downs, and believed what was expected was to steer their child through them. In navigating those choppy waters, they could rely on a set of strong institutions – schools, church and neighbourhood groups.
Today, parents believe their role is to shield, not steer. A shocking one in three doesn’t think their children need to attend school on a daily basis, while parishes and community groups struggle for survival.
Parents today believe their offspring should never face defeat, discomfort or a loss. Thank goodness children know better.
Cristina Odone is head of the family policy unit at the Centre for Social Justice.