Overview

This report to respondents is based on data collected in the first survey of the Institute's Children in Families Project (CIF) designed to examine children's views of family life in a variety of ordinary Australian families including intact, step and one parent families. The survey focuses on how the child uses the family as a resource, as a base from which to control the environment. The theme of competence is central. Different families offer varied environments in which to grow as independent, coping human beings; health, finances, emotional support, cultural values, decision- making processes, educational support, all contribute to the sorts of adults and parents today's children will become. In particular, this report looks at: children's relationships with their parents; how children feel when their parents separate or divorce; children's feelings about their access parents; children's relationships within the family; sources of family conflict and family cohesion.

Contents

• How children feel when their parents separate or divorce
• How children feel about access parents
• Children's relationships within the family
• Family changes
• How families are organised
• Family conflict and family cohesion
• Children's friendships
• Teenagers and trouble with the law
• Children's outside interests
• Children's views on school
• Television viewing habits
• Children's job expectations
• Conclusion
• List of References