Happy Families?
Television parenting programmes are having a powerful influence on parenting techniques in Great Britain, research by Ipsos reveals. But the research — for the National Family and Parenting Institute — also shows a large proportion of those who view such programmes (37%) believe that such programmes sensationalise family problems for public entertainment.
Television parenting programmes are having a powerful influence on parenting techniques in Great Britain, research by Ipsos reveals. But the research -- for the National Family and Parenting Institute -- also shows a large proportion of those who view such programmes (37%) believe that such programmes sensationalise family problems for public entertainment.
Most parents with children aged under 16 have watched at least one such programme and 83% of these parents said they found a parenting technique that was helpful to them personally. The main findings are:
- Parenting programmes are extremely popular, especially for parents: almost three-quarters (72%) of parents with children aged under 16 have watched at least one parenting programme and 55% of all adults have watched at least one parenting programme.
- Parenting 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 programmes are considered to sensationalise family problems for public entertainment by a large minority (37%) of their viewers.
Topline Results
- Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 3,938 adults aged 15+ across GB (1,077 of which were parents of a child / children under 16 who lives with them).
- Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in respondents' homes between 31 August and 6 September (wave one) and 14 and 20 September (wave two) 2006.
- Data have been weighted to the known population profile.
- The figures quoted are percentages based on the full sample of 3,938 adults unless stated otherwise. Percentages may not always add up to 100% due to computer rounding or multiple answers.
- An * asterisk represents a percentage less than 0.5 but greater than zero.
Q1 Thinking specifically about television programmes about parenting which, if any, of the following have you ever personally watched?
| % | |
|---|---|
| Supernanny | 42 |
| Brat Camp | 25 |
| The House of Tiny Tearaways | 19 |
| Honey We're Killing the Kids | 19 |
| Driving Mum and Dad Mad | 16 |
| Child of Our Time | 14 |
| Little Angels | 13 |
| Mum's on Strike | 13 |
| Who Rules the Roost? | 7 |
| My Teenager's a Nightmare | 6 |
| Teenage Terror to Teenage Angel | 4 |
| Other | * |
| ANY | 55 |
| None of these | 43 |
| Don't know | 2 |
Q2 Thinking in general about the parenting programmes you have watched, which of these, if any, do you think apply to any of these programmes?Base: All who have watched at least one TV programme (2,129)
| % | |
|---|---|
| They help adults to understand more about children's needs and feelings | 51 |
| They show the difficulties that the parents are experiencing are often the source of the children's problems | 48 |
| I welcome their suggestions for alternative ways of disciplining children other than smacking | 40 |
| They sensationalise family problems for public entertainment | 37 |
| They focus on children as problems and I would like to see more about the joy they bring | 15 |
| I worry about the effect they have on the children featured in them | 14 |
| They put people off having children | 12 |
| None of these | 3 |
| Don't know | 2 |
Q3 And still thinking in general about the parenting programmes you have watched, which of these, if any, do you think apply to any of these programmes?Base: All who have watched at least one TV programme and are parents of children under 16 living with them (795)
| % | |
|---|---|
| They reassure me that lots of parents have problems | 47 |
| They have given me good parenting tips | 45 |
| They reassure me that I am a good parent | 35 |
| The parenting experts are effective and inspiring | 34 |
| They are a good way of getting help and advice in privacy | 27 |
| I think the suggestions the experts give are a quick fix and won't work long term | 11 |
| I generally don't trust that the advice the experts give on TV works in real day-to-day family life | 9 |
| They do not help me solve my family's problems | 8 |
| They have encouraged me to seek help from others with parenting problems I have experienced | 8 |
| They make me feel my family has serious problems | 5 |
| None of these | 5 |
| Don't know | 1 |
Q4 Which, if any, of the following parenting techniques featured in parenting television programmes, have you personally found helpful?Base: All who have watched at least one TV programme and are parents of children under 16 living with them (795)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Praising good behaviour | 58 |
| Having fun with children | 48 |
| Giving attention (e.g. spending time playing / reading) | 40 |
| Listening and responding | 39 |
| Time-out | 30 |
| Sticker / star charts / reward board | 29 |
| Ignoring bad behaviour | 29 |
| Eating / healthier diet techniques | 28 |
| The naughty step / mat | 28 |
| Removal of privileges / toy confiscation | 27 |
| Distraction techniques | 26 |
| Bedtime / sleeping techniques (e.g. Rapid return) | 23 |
| Helping children express their feelings (e.g. through drawings or role plays) | 15 |
| Avoidance strategies | 11 |
| The sweetie / toy jar | 7 |
| Other | * |
| ANY | 83 |
| None of these | 16 |
| Don't know | 1 |
Q5 As you may know, many people feel that one of the responsibilities a parent has is to teach a child the difference between 'right' and 'wrong'. From the following list, please tell me which actions, if any, you think would most enable parents to achieve this?Base: All parents of children under 16 living with them (1,077)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Spending time with children | 67 |
| Parents themselves setting a good example | 67 |
| Making children feel happy and loved | 67 |
| Rewarding good behaviour | 62 |
| Reasoning with children | 48 |
| 'Grounding' children (i.e. forbidding them from going out at certain times) | 27 |
| Creating a diversion if doing something wrong | 18 |
| Smacking children | 10 |
| Other | 1 |
| None of these | 5 |
| Don't know | 3 |
Q6 Which of the following ways of obtaining information about parenting do you or would you find useful?Base: All parents of children under 16 living with them (1,077)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Friends and family | 59 |
| School / playgroup | 40 |
| Television programmes | 37 |
| Books / magazines | 30 |
| The internet | 30 |
| Doctors surgery | 27 |
| Local services for parents, e.g. parent education and support groups | 24 |
| Leaflets or posters | 19 |
| Local libraries | 15 |
| Information from Government departments | 10 |
| The phone e.g. helpline | 7 |
| In-store leaflets or touch screen kiosks | 4 |
| There's too much information and advice given | 5 |
| No preference | 8 |
| Don't know / NA | 4 |
