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England named second worst nation for child happiness England named 'second worst nation' for child happiness
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Children in England are so unhappy with their lives that only South Korea ranks lower for childhood well-being, research from the Children’s Society has found.Children in England are so unhappy with their lives that only South Korea ranks lower for childhood well-being, research from the Children’s Society has found.
Bullying, lack of self-confidence and poor body image are among the factors that pushed England into second last in an examination of childhood happiness. Academics from the University of York quizzed children in 15 countries from around the world, including Ethiopia, Colombia and Algeria, to compare the experiences of English children to those elsewhere.Bullying, lack of self-confidence and poor body image are among the factors that pushed England into second last in an examination of childhood happiness. Academics from the University of York quizzed children in 15 countries from around the world, including Ethiopia, Colombia and Algeria, to compare the experiences of English children to those elsewhere.
They found that more than half a million 10- and 12-year-olds in England had been physically bullied each month, with half of them feeling left out by their peers.They found that more than half a million 10- and 12-year-olds in England had been physically bullied each month, with half of them feeling left out by their peers.
Primary school children are still more likely to say they are happy at school than not, but this changes dramatically once they become teenagers. Almost two thirds of year six pupils (aged 10 to 11) say they like school, but just 43 per cent of those in their second year of secondary school report being happy there.Primary school children are still more likely to say they are happy at school than not, but this changes dramatically once they become teenagers. Almost two thirds of year six pupils (aged 10 to 11) say they like school, but just 43 per cent of those in their second year of secondary school report being happy there.
Overall, children in England are unhappier with their school experience than those in 11 other countries, including Uganda, Ethiopia and Algeria. English schools fared better only than Germany, South Korea and Estonia.Overall, children in England are unhappier with their school experience than those in 11 other countries, including Uganda, Ethiopia and Algeria. English schools fared better only than Germany, South Korea and Estonia.
Suicide claims more young lives than road accidents in Korea, where stress is widespread (Getty) The Children’s Society says the problems are so acute that the Government needs to make it compulsory for schools to provide counselling, and fund programmes to promote good mental health. Matthew Reed, the chief executive of the charity, said: “We are one of the richest nations in the world yet the happiness of our children is at rock bottom. We need to urgently find a way to make young people feel happier about their lives to avoid storing up problems for the future.”Suicide claims more young lives than road accidents in Korea, where stress is widespread (Getty) The Children’s Society says the problems are so acute that the Government needs to make it compulsory for schools to provide counselling, and fund programmes to promote good mental health. Matthew Reed, the chief executive of the charity, said: “We are one of the richest nations in the world yet the happiness of our children is at rock bottom. We need to urgently find a way to make young people feel happier about their lives to avoid storing up problems for the future.”
Girls in England rank bottom for happiness with their body confidence, appearance and self-confidence when compared to girls in every other country surveyed except South Korea. Girls in Colombia are the happiest with their bodies.Girls in England rank bottom for happiness with their body confidence, appearance and self-confidence when compared to girls in every other country surveyed except South Korea. Girls in Colombia are the happiest with their bodies.
England also has a much more marked gender difference when it comes to body confidence than elsewhere. Girls are more than twice as likely as boys to report unhappiness with their bodies (18 per cent against eight per cent). The Children’s Commissioner, Anne Longfield, said: “It is crucial that children’s social and emotional well-being is promoted alongside other aspects of their lives, such as their physical health and educational outcomes. It is worrying that children in England score poorly against those in many other countries. The reasons may be complex but we need to get to grips with them as nation.”England also has a much more marked gender difference when it comes to body confidence than elsewhere. Girls are more than twice as likely as boys to report unhappiness with their bodies (18 per cent against eight per cent). The Children’s Commissioner, Anne Longfield, said: “It is crucial that children’s social and emotional well-being is promoted alongside other aspects of their lives, such as their physical health and educational outcomes. It is worrying that children in England score poorly against those in many other countries. The reasons may be complex but we need to get to grips with them as nation.”
A Government spokesman said: “Bullying of any kind is unacceptable. That is why we are providing more than £7m to help schools tackle bullying head on. We are also promoting greater use of counselling in schools, improving teaching about mental health, and supporting joint working between mental health services and schools.”A Government spokesman said: “Bullying of any kind is unacceptable. That is why we are providing more than £7m to help schools tackle bullying head on. We are also promoting greater use of counselling in schools, improving teaching about mental health, and supporting joint working between mental health services and schools.”