British kids are in trouble. At least that’s what Unicef thinks. According to the United Nation’s Children’s Agency, parents in the UK are caught in a "materialistic trap" in which they buy their kids things instead of spending time with them.
The state of the family is so bad there that, just three years ago, Unicef put the UK at the bottom of the barrel of 21 industrialized countries when it came to poverty, family relationships, and health. The question is why?
Although all the kids surveyed claimed that having time with their families was important, British parents, particularly those from low-income families, admitted to feeling “tremendous pressure” to buy material goods for their children.
For starters, Unicef suggested the UK follow Sweden’s example, by banning television advertising aimed at children younger than 12.
"Consumer culture in the UK contrasts starkly with Sweden and Spain, where family time is prioritized, children and families are under less pressure to own material goods and children have greater access to activities out of the home," said the report.
According to Anita Tiessen, deputy director of Unicef UK, at the heart of the problem is the long working hours of British families. Having lived in London for over a decade, I can than vouch for this theory. In Canada, my husband has, on average, an extra two more hours with his son every day.
Because of their guilt, perhaps, British parents tend to make up for their absence by buying their children “branded clothes, trainers, technology". Add to that already grim picture the austerity measures and recent rioting.
Unicef stressed that funding for play facilities and free leisure activities for children and families must be protected to help families “who are often already at breaking point”.
"Not only are these services critical in developing the social and emotional skills needed to maximize children and young people's potential, but they help prevent intergenerational cycles of deprivation. The government needs to stop just hearing young people and actually listen to them."
Do you think we are in danger of falling into the same trap over here?
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