There is overwhelming interest in parenting, about the
risks parents may pose to their children and about how to
do the best possible job as a parent. Facts and information
often clash: new ideas emerge about raising children, keeping
them safe and trying to make sure they are happy.
Sources of help and information are changing. The parenting
industry has well and truly taken off, with arrays of books,
websites, advisors and television programmes available.
Television is now a key source of information on parenting;
and parenting TV programmes dominate primetime schedules
on many channels. New formats are constantly being developed
and families in severe difficulties are often featured.
There has already been debate about the quality of the information
and advice provided. Some commentators are concerned about
the possibility of negative effects on the families and
children who participate.
This survey aims to understand more about public attitudes
to parenting TV programmes and about parents' reactions
to them.
Key findings
- Parenting TV programmes are extremely popular, especially
for parents: almost three quarters (72%) of parents
have watched at least one parenting programme and 55%
of adults have watched at least one parenting programme.
- Parenting TV programmes are directly influencing parenting
behaviour: more than eight in ten parents (83%) who
have watched parenting programmes found a technique
from the programmes helpful to them.
- But parenting TV programmes are considered to sensationalise
family problems for public entertainment by a large
minority (37%) of their viewers.
Information sources for parents
Parents turn to a wide range of sources for information
about parenting and we asked them which were useful.
- Friends and family remain the most popular source
of parenting information, with six in ten (59%) parents
saying this is the source they do or would find most
useful.
- Schools and playgroups were cited by 40% of parents.
- Television programmes were popular at 37%.
- Books/magazines and the internet were also popular,
each mentioned by 30%.
(Extracted from the National Family
& Parenting Institute Survey. Conducted by Ipsos MORI. August
& September 2006. For more information visit www.nfpi.org.uk)
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