NCJ Number
160079
Date Published
Unknown
Length
75 pages
Annotation
Two related surveys of adults and children in the United States were conducted by the National Commission on Children in 1990 to assess perceptions about the quality of family life from a broad cross-section of families.
Abstract
The first survey gauged adult attitudes about how children were faring, how well parents were raising children, and social influences that helped or harmed children. The second survey gathered information directly from children between 10 and 17 years of age and their parents on the nature of family lives, fears and concerns, and factors supporting or working against strong families. The survey asked parents to rate their overall relationship with children, asked children to identify important adults in their lives, and asked children and teenagers whether they could talk with their parents about major concerns. Survey findings indicated that most families were not in disarray and that most parents were meeting their childrearing responsibilities. Both married and single parents reported close relationships with their children and appeared to go to great lengths to give them the time and attention they needed. Children confirmed reports of parents, indicating considerable satisfaction with their family lives. Even so, parents reported a great deal of stress in their lives, and most attributed this stress to external sources such as work demands, peer pressures on children, damaging cultural messages, social isolation, economic pressures, and unsafe streets and neighborhoods. Never-married and divorced parents and children living apart from one or both parents reported substantial stress that appeared to stem from the sustained absence of a parent or parents. Custodial parents reported serious economic concerns and time constraints, both of which affected their ability to meet children's physical and emotional needs. Children were often very blunt in reporting the neglect and detachment of their absent parents. When child and parent populations were analyzed separately by income, race, and geography, significant stresses and threats to children's well-being were found for particular subgroups. Minority and poor families indicated various problems and stresses that directly affected their children's safety and well-being. Survey findings highlighted the need for additional adult guidance in the lives of adolescents, a substantial proportion of whom were exposed to peers and friends engaged in high-risk activities. Appendixes contain the survey methodology and a list of technical advisors who facilitated the survey. Notes, figures, and photographs