New research from the national charity, 4Children, has revealed the extent of conflict and violence in Britain’s families.
A survey of parents with children under the age of 18 carried out by YouGov on behalf of 4Children revealed that over half of parents with children experience serious or frequent conflict - which equates to about four million families with children in this country. Only 7% of parents said there was no conflict in their home.
4Children’s report, The Enemy Within, presents the full picture of conflict and violence within families. The report reveals the way in which children and parents can be both victims and perpetrators of family conflict - with the evidence suggesting that violence is more widespread within the family than was perhaps previously thought.
The report highlights that children are overwhelmingly the victims: 950,000 children are affected by domestic violence, either directly as victims of violence, or indirectly in terms of witnessing violence.
Squeezes on household budgets area a key factor, with one in five parents (21%) reporting conflict over serious financial worries and debt. Other causes of family conflict include:
- Arguments with teenage children 20%;
- Disagreements over child discipline 17%;
- Sibling rivalry between children 17%;
- Redundancy/ long term unemployment of one or both parents 7%.
