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7 November 2006 ippr report supports relationship services Family support charity Scottish Marriage Care embraces research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr), which has highlighted the need to develop and incorporate couple relationship support services to reverse the deterioration of the social skills among Britain's youth. The report stated that in today's increasingly consumer driven world, personal and social skills were essential attributes but that many young people, particularly those from deprived areas, were failing to acquire these skills. SMC Chief Executive Mary Toner said that establishing and maintaining good relationships was important but especially for people from disadvantaged areas as they often faced additional multiple barriers. "SMC's REACT project is a pioneering example of how quality of life can be improved for young people and young parents by building awareness of important relationship skills such as communication, listening and conflict negotiation." The benefits gained from having strong relationships are numerous. Improved relationship promote a stable family life, which has the added benefit of enabling individuals to manage family situations more effectively." The ippr's report, Freedom's Orphans: Raising Youth in a Changing World, recommended investment in a range of relationship support services for parents, especially lone parents, couples and for professionals as part of workforce development in the NHS and social services. It also stated that every secondary school pupil should participate in at least two hours structured and purposeful extracurricular activities per week. Nick Pearce, the ippr Director said; "Adolescence is being stretched at both ends, with children becoming 'teenagers' earlier and 'adults' later. For too many young people this transition to adulthood is complex, messy and unsuccessful." The Executive Summary of the findings concluded that work currently being undertaken by voluntary sector organisations focussing on conflict resolution should be expanded and that the best way for children to learn the skills that they need, outside of the family, was through structured activities primarily delivered by the voluntary sector. The Summary further stated that Personal,
Social and Health Education (PSHE) including sex
and relationship education should become a
statutory subject in all primary and secondary
schools and that parents should be supported to
develop skills to discuss sex and relationships
with their children.
For further information, please contact: April Mitchinson, Research and Communications
Manager Phone:0141-222 2166 |
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