Children are consulted at home
Liz Fox
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Most families have 'strongly democratic' decision-making processes, with children as young as eight taking part in decisions that affect them, according to new research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Researchers from the universities of Keele and Cardiff interviewed 117 children between the ages of eight and 11. They found that children were consulted on issues as diverse as meals, discipline and moving house.
Researchers from the universities of Keele and Cardiff interviewed 117 children between the ages of eight and 11. They found that children were consulted on issues as diverse as meals, discipline and moving house.
Children were happy to accept the ultimate authority of their parents - as long parents acted 'fairly'.
Ian Butler, professor of social work at Keele and author of the report, said, 'In public life we tend to infantilise children, but at home even very young children can influence big decisions.
'Family decision-making pro-cesses are very subtle. This has implications for children who are taken into care or have a new step-family because communication can break down and they struggle to fit in.'
The report Children and decison making can be ordered from www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop or 01904 430 033.
