Ахтамьянов Роберт Айратович АП 1 -2 Why teens are unhappy with their lives?
• • The study published by the Children’s Society following interviews with 30, 000 under-16 s claims those who have deeply negative feelings about their lives are at higher risk of bullying, depression and eating disorders. It says those who suffer instability, moving from one family member to another, are twice as likely to be unhappy although household structure itself was not as important as having loving relationships with relatives.
• • • Children who worry that they do not have the right clothes to “fit in” with classmates are three times as likely to be unhappy with the way they look, with the problem affecting girls more than boys. Those who received less pocket money than their peers reported lower levels of well-being, but so did those who were given a lot more cash, suggesting that children want to be similar to their friends more than they want to be rich. The Good Childhood Report calls on policy-makers to ensure children have the right conditions to grow, to develop positive relationships and to live in a safe area.
Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, said: “The moral test for any society is how it treats its most vulnerable, including its children. The fact that at any one time half a million children are unhappy with their lives should be a wake -up call to us all. Policy makers and public alike will find clear information in this report about what causes our children to be unhappy with their lives. With such understanding comes the opportunity to make changes using the six priorities that The Children’s Society has identified to make sure that every child has a good childhood. ”
• • • The research is an update on a landmark report published three years ago by the Children's Society, which warned that young people's lives are being blighted by Britain's selfish society. Children are often happier with their online lives than they are with reality, a survey has revealed. They say they can be exactly who they want to be – and as soon as something is no longer fun they can simply hit the quit button.
• • The study also shows that, despite concerns about online safety, one in eight young people is in contact with strangers when on the web and often lies about their appearance, age and background. Researchers for children’s charity Kidscape assessed the online activities of 2, 300 11 - to 18 -yearolds from across the UK and found that 45 per cent said they were sometimes happier online than in their real lives.
• • • The report – Virtual Lives: It is more than a game, it is your life – lays bare the attitudes of children today to the internet and includes revealing insights into how they feel when they are on the web. One told researchers: ‘It’s easier to be who you want to be, because nobody knows you and if you don’t like the situation you can just exit and it is over. ’ Another said: ‘You can say anything online. You can talk to people that you don’t normally speak to and you can edit your pictures so you look better. It is as if you are a completely different person. ’
• • • One teenager admitted the only place he or she felt comfortable admitting they were gay was on anonymous internet forums. Half a million school children in Britain are unhappy with their lives, according to a new study published today. The Good Childhood Report 2012 found that one in 11 youngsters (9%) aged between eight and 15 have a low well-being at any given time.
• • • It also revealed that unhappiness increases dramatically with age - more than tripling from the age of eight (4%) to the age of 15 (14%). The Children's Society, which published the report, said children with low levels of happiness are much less likely to enjoy being at home with their family, feel safe when with their friends, like the way they look and feel positive about their future. They are also more likely to be victimised, have eating disorders or be depressed, it said.
