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• The aggressive pursuit of personal success by adults is now the greatest threat to British children, according to The Good Childhood Inquiry, a major independent report on childhood commissioned by the Children’s Society.
  
  It calls for a sea change in social attitudes and policies to counter the damage done to children by society. Family break-up, unprincipled advertising, too much competition in education and income inequality are mentioned as big contributing factors. A panel of independent experts carried out the study over three years. The report concludes that children’s lives in Britain have become ‘more difficult than in the past’, adding that ‘more young people are anxious and troubled’.
  
  The inquiry makes a long list of recommendations including: a drive to train 1,000 more psychological therapists over the next five years to cope with rising numbers of children with mental health problems; abolishing Sats tests and league tables in English schools; a ban on all advertising aimed at the under 12s and no TV commercials for alcohol or unhealthy food before the 9pm watershed; stopping building on any open space where children play; and a high-quality youth centre for every 5,000 young people.
  
  Some of the inquiry’s findings on family life in Britain are bound to be controversial. It cites research suggesting that three times as many three year olds living with lone parents or a step-parent have behavioural problems compared with those living with married parents. It also suggests that having many more working mothers has contributed to the damage done to children.
  
  The panel has made a series of recommendations aimed at improving the quality of family life experienced by children: a civil birth ceremony conducted by a registrar in which parents publicly accept the responsibilities of parenthood; free parenting classes available around the time of birth; free psychological and family support if relationships struggle; and rules making it easier for parents to stay at home to rear their children.
  
  Although the Government may be sympathetic to some of the inquiry’s conclusions, it is unlikely it will implement its radical proposals in the near future. The Government statement said: ‘The report mirrors the ambitious plan for improving children’s lives and outcomes we set out in our Children’s Plan, which aims to give every child the best chance in life, and we are pleased that the review acknowledges the positive impact that the Children’s Plan is already having on children’s lives. We know there are still risks and challenges ahead for children and parents and that there is more for us all to do.’
  
  bbc.co.uk