Teenage years more stressful for parents than infancy
July 9, 2004
Forget those sleepless nights experienced by the parents of children in their infancy, and the uncertainties of the young ones' early days at school.
According to the Blairite thinktank the Institute for Public Policy Research, it is parents of teenagers who have the hardest time. And they are feeling isolated and anxious, beset by "a yawning gap in support for those who seriously struggle to cope".
In a report today the institute said three-quarters of parents identify the teenage years as the most difficult time, and 57% worry they are not doing a good enough job.
A survey of more than 1,000 parents of teenagers found 43% wanted more provision of organised activities such as youth clubs and nearly one in five wanted greater support from their school.
The report, which was commissioned by the manufacturer Lever Fabergé, found:
 |
Some 63% of mothers and 51% of fathers worry about whether they are doing a good enough job
| Four in ten find it difficult to buy what their children want
| One in five find it difficult to discipline their teenage children
| One in ten find it difficult to keep their children away from drink and drugs
| Of the teenage years, half of parents say that 13-15 is the most difficult time while a quarter say 16-18 are the hardest years |
Laura Edwards, senior researcher at IPPR, said: "We are quick to blame the parents of teenagers when things go wrong. A shift in policy and practice is needed - from the voluntary sector and employers as well as government - which recognises the demands of being a parent of a teenager.
Source: The Guardian (UK), 09/07/2004