To think there needs to be a public inquiry into child development

[MaryMaryVeryContrary]

It really seems like we have a looming societal crisis in terms of child development and therefore the quality of the public in 10-20 years time. Experienced teachers across the board seem to be reporting an overwhelming increase in delayed, aggressive and disruptive children. I’m extremely worried about how this will impact society when they become adults - it seems (as a guess) at least a tenth of children will be incapable of work of any kind, and many more will need copious amounts of support to live any kind of responsible life.

AIBU to think we need an urgent public inquiry into this and what is going on? It seems to be the elephant in the room and anybody who tries to discuss it is shouted down.

I’m sure some of it is due to cuts in services but surely that can’t account for it all - it’s very sudden and extremely alarming.

There seems to be a lot of anecdotal evidence and made to stats in your OP. Can you back up your assertions with any sourced data?

Sorry typo - made up stats* What makes you think 1 in 10 won't be able to work?

There has been a huge rise in speech delays, children starting school unable to do basic things, classroom aggression, school non attendance, severe mental health problems, anxiety…

Reported uniformly by almost all teachers, early years workers as well as studies and articles (you can have a peruse).

Hi @WhyDoesItAlways. It’s a good question. Here’s a recent article from the BMJ re an ‘appalling decline’ in child health, including mental health

https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj.q313

Also similar on the decline in child development in the under twos

https://send-network.co.uk/posts/falling-behind-a-decrease-in-the-percentage-of-two-year-olds-reaching-the-expected-level-of-development

How are you defining the "quality of the public"?

An overall view of health, prosperity, productivity and safety.

I don't see much disruptive behaviour, I've been a cm for 15 years and have my own teens....most children are polite, well behaved, kind, engaged.... most of the time.

The odd child with 'problems' either goes on to have an ND diagnosis or has a disruptive home life with ineffective parenting. I wouldn't say this has particularly increased though.

There is a very passive style of parenting at the moment which gives parents more trouble in the long term but the children react well to my routine, boundaries and behaviour modelling so I don't get involved, they will soon realise!

I agree. I think it’s a mix of overworked parents (capitalism) and a really unchildfriendly education system (I work in education). Also very poor mental health services.

I agree op that there is an issue, I have my own completely unproven theory as to why but people won't like it - however my friend who a child development specialist working for camhs completely agrees with me - it's screens, not just for the youngsters but their caregivers ignoring them for too much of the time. She also thinks young children do too many organised activities and not enough free play in the 1-4 age group. Her dc are teens, one neurodiverse, so she does understand that side but she isn't convinced that congenital neurodivergence is the who story, she thinks we are requiring toddlers brains, I'm not necessarily convinced but something is afoot

BusyCM
I don't see much disruptive behaviour, I've been a cm for 15 years and have my own teens....most children are polite, well behaved, kind, engaged.... most of the time.
Well you’re very lucky, in my son’s school there’s someone suspended weakly, regular stories of pupils telling the teachers to eff off, breaking things, messing with dangerous equipment (eg woodwork saws, setting fires with Bunsen burners). My son doesn’t go to the bathroom in his school or use the lockers. And I hear it everywhere. And this is a ‘good’ school!!! I sometimes feel sorry for the kids sometimes though, son will say they’re nice but just mess, it’s like they can’t help it. I always think ‘at what point did it get to this for them and how will their story go’

ps yes I know that sounds weird and sappy, but my son would say if they were just assholes!!!

I completely agree.

School doesn't suit all children.
A good number of the poorly behaved children will do just fine when out of the school environment doing something less stressful for them.

I’ve got my own theories too. Nothing proven but having been in the education sector for a very long time I’ve seen a shift in parenting, families, housing, work ethic, blame culture, diet, exercise, SEN provision, play and language and none of it is a healthy mix.

YANBU The decline in children's mental health and number of children not attending school. is huge. Parenting, academic pressure, screens? Who knows what the main cause is but a formal review would be a great start.

I think some decent parenting wouldn't go amiss.
When out and about there seems to be very little parenting and a lot of screens.
Babies being pushed in prams with adult staring at a screen or bellowing a one sided phone conversation.
On public transport with a screen propped up in front of them in a buggy, or in cafés with screen propped up in the table.
Running around in the park causing chaos with carer sat oblivious scrolling on phone
There appears to be very little human interaction going on, and even less acknowledgement of other people and how they and their child's behaviour may be impacting others.

Wow. Words nearly fail me.

You can't turn on and off ASD or MH problems.
And people with ASD or MH problems are not disposable.
Many people with ASD or MH problems can hold down jobs too.

The population may need 'cleansing' (I disgagree with that anyway), but if so, then maybe not of the people you are thinking of ...

Please can you say what your theories are? Feel free to PM if you would prefer privacy but I’m interested to know.

Let's be honest parenting is also rather poor in many cases at present.
Yes current increase in neuro diverse children.
But we do need to address lack of parenting, boundaries and discipline.
Poor parental mental health may be affecting children as part of the problem also

I work in education and have very strict boundaries and high expectations. Its exhausting! Many kids can not concentrate for long, get bored quickly, feel they can swear or be rude. Many parents back them up (see endless threads on being able to go to the toilet whenever they want). Screen addiction, vaping addiction, and a general entitled society are my theories.

I do think there's an increase in kids that literally don't care! About teachers, their parents, the Police! I've seen some well meaning parents crying in desperation because they can't cope. When I've suggested some of the parenting tools I've used (I have teens) removal of privileges /phone time/ money etc they either kick off and start such a drama or run oitnof the door to be with mates! The Police locally were run ragged recently by a horde of around 30 11/12 year olds pissing about in a local derelict building! They were spotting and swearing at the Police who were actually trying to safeguard them.

To be honest inquiries are generally just going through motions and costing a fortune. You’d need to have really specific terms of reference the area is too broad. Some of what you have mentioned will be or supposed to be covered in Covid inquiries. These things take years and years so you’d be looking at four years to get any answers of any kind let alone lessons learned.

I dont think you need an expensive inquiry to know its because parents don't parent anymore.

I agree parenting is poor but there have always been poor parents who have neglected their kids. It’s a different kind of neglect though - when I was little these types of children were left to run feral in the park/estate, often with other children, outside most of the day. Now they’re cooped up on tablets or TV to keep them quiet and easy to manage.