Unhappy children.

[walkinman221]

In many of these cases the children in my opinion are seen by their "parents" as a means to an end, as in the more kids they produce the more benefits they get.You only have to walk around Accrington town center and see and listen to how many "parents" talk and interact with the kids and it becomes obvious they are seen as a hindrance and an inconvenience tolerated only because of the money they bring in.You quite often see the kids, dirty, pasty faced and scruffy whilst their "parents"always have a can, fag, and the obligatory designer tracksuit, truly sad to see. No wonder many kids are unhappy.

[annesingleton]

No, they sound like well adjusted children from good backgrounds. And I do agree that there is an emphasis on such children to have material goods (I'm considering my own grandchildren here). Material goods would add to their 'happiness' although should not be essential. I suppose that the same way nice clothes, perfume, jewellery etc adds to my happiness - lovely but unnecessary! The young people I have been talking about would not really understand the concept of being involved in family decisions, and although they are encouraged to be involved in community decisions they have little interest or understanding.

[annesingleton]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Yes, Anne I took your point, but there was little mention of parenting in this report.
As far as I am aware, parenting hardly came into the equation...other than the children(who were aged between 8yrs and 15yrs) said they would like to be more involved in family decisions, and decisions in the community.........now, to me(and you can correct me if you think I am wrong here) these do not sound like the kind of children to which you referred.

No, they sound like well adjusted children from good backgrounds. And I do agree that there is an emphasis on such children to have material goods (I'm considering my own grandchildren here). Material goods would add to their 'happiness' although should not be essential. I suppose that the same way nice clothes, perfume, jewellery etc adds to my happiness - lovely but unnecessary! The young people I have been talking about would not really understand the concept of being involved in family decisions, and although they are encouraged to be involved in community decisions they have little interest or understanding.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by annesingleton

Additionally but not necessarily a standard of living which would allow the young person to have an equal playing field with his/her peers.

Totally disagree.

A much better gift to bestow on a child, is to learn that you can't have everything you want, just because 'everyone else has'. If you want something, earn it.

The other things you mentioned have nothing to do with material goods.

Like generations of happy kids, who grew up poor, and clean, being happy isn't connected to what you have.

It's being loved.

Neglect is down to feckless parenting, regardless of how much material goods they give their children.

[garinda]

Stating that 'material goods adds to a child's happiness', genuinely makes me sad, that as a society, this is seen as a norm.

We're becoming more and more like America, where happiness and success is measured by how much you materially own, every year.

If Jesus was around today, I doubt he'd be spouting the same guff.

Suffer the little children.

Just don't make 'em suffer by not going into hock, so they can have the absolute latest piece of must-have technological gizmo.

[garinda]

Well if Chantelle Higginbottom's had breast implants, a tattoo, and her lips injected, course you can have it done love.

I'm not having anyone lookin' down on us princess.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by garinda

Well if Chantelle Higginbottom's had breast implants, a tattoo, and her lips injected, course you can have it done love.

I'm not having anyone lookin' down on us princess.

Let's just wait 'til you're potty trained though.

[BERNADETTE]

Originally Posted by annesingleton

No, they sound like well adjusted children from good backgrounds. And I do agree that there is an emphasis on such children to have material goods (I'm considering my own grandchildren here). Material goods would add to their 'happiness' although should not be essential. I suppose that the same way nice clothes, perfume, jewellery etc adds to my happiness - lovely but unnecessary! The young people I have been talking about would not really understand the concept of being involved in family decisions, and although they are encouraged to be involved in community decisions they have little interest or understanding.

I find it so very sad that as a grandparent you think that material goods will add to your grandchildrens "happiness", your words not mine by the way. Just beyond me how people can focus on the material things being more important than points of view being listened to Maybe rather than indulging children with everything they think they need we could all be rewarded by spending time together and talking problems over. Rather than dismissing children having no concept of being involved in family decisions, it might be nice to ask them

[Mancie]

It's clear that British children can only be classed as in poverty when they are seen starving on the streets with nowt on there feet.. such like the hardships our gran or "how hard it was"and what they had to endure.
Seems people will not be satisfied until this happens again..I doubt it will be but don't pray for it!

[garinda]

They were probably all 'unhappy' children, who went out looting and rioting last summer, because they didn't have quiet the right/latest trainers, phone, telly etc.

Bless their cotton socks.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Mancie

It's clear that British children can only be classed as in poverty when they are seen starving on the streets with nowt on there feet.. such like the hardships our gran or "how hard it was"and what they had to endure.
Seems people will not be satisfied until this happens again..I doubt it will be but don't pray for it!

Free education, free access to health care, social welfare, that means no child should go to bed with an empty belly.

Sounds pretty good. Compared to most of the world.

Which would explain why so many people will do anything, to come and take advantage of life in Britain.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by Mancie

It's clear that British children can only be classed as in poverty when they are seen starving on the streets with nowt on there feet.. such like the hardships our gran or "how hard it was"and what they had to endure.
Seems people will not be satisfied until this happens again..I doubt it will be but don't pray for it!

The study showed only 9% of children were unhappy.......and their unhappiness was caused, or contributed to, by the fact that they had less of the material things in life. It wasn't about poverty per se.

I am with G on this. Children have to be made to realise that what someone else has, does not impact on their life....that if they want the ipod, the mobile phone, the designer trainers, then they can go out and earn them........but they need to learn that as a person they are not defined by what they own.

Attitudes are learned early(but only if parents teach them) the advertising world see children as consumers......and play on the weaknesses of parents ability to say NO.

The over indulgence of children by parents is the most insidious form of abuse.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by walkinman221

In many of these cases the children in my opinion are seen by their "parents" as a means to an end, as in the more kids they produce the more benefits they get.You only have to walk around Accrington town center and see and listen to how many "parents" talk and interact with the kids and it becomes obvious they are seen as a hindrance and an inconvenience tolerated only because of the money they bring in.You quite often see the kids, dirty, pasty faced and scruffy whilst their "parents"always have a can, fag, and the obligatory designer tracksuit, truly sad to see. No wonder many kids are unhappy.

I think your spot on there WM, I hadn't been in Accy Town centre for years until, I was able to go down last year with the help of my carer and its true what you say that's the first thing I noticed was the number of people dragging kids round with them, usually with a Gregg's Pie stuck in the kids mitts for dinner

[annesingleton]

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

I find it so very sad that as a grandparent you think that material goods will add to your grandchildrens "happiness", your words not mine by the way. Just beyond me how people can focus on the material things being more important than points of view being listened to Maybe rather than indulging children with everything they think they need we could all be rewarded by spending time together and talking problems over. Rather than dismissing children having no concept of being involved in family decisions, it might be nice to ask them

I don't think that material goods should/will add to my grandchildren's "happiness", it was more a statement of fact about today's materialistic world. Furthermore my grandchildren do not get everything they want and I would like to think that they are learning the value of money and that there are more important things in life than material possessions.