Miserable children

Why have parents and politicians become so worried about the well-being of our children

BBC Radio 4's Analysis: Miserable Children, was broadcast on Thursday, 12 April, 2007 at 20:30 BST.

Read the programme transcript

A recent UNICEF report prompted accusations that the UK is failing its children.

So are we breeding a uniquely unhappy youngest generation?

Or are we allowing adult angst and an idealised image of childhood to distort our view?

In this week's 'Analysis', Andrew Brown investigates how factors such as a more commercially driven and status-conscious society, prolonged adolescence, and parental uncertainty about how best to bring up children are challenging assumptions about ever more contented children.

Among the contributors are the renowned child care expert Penelope Leach, Professor Richard Layard, politically influential advocate of the "science of happiness", the Swedish Children's Ombudsman Lena Nyberg and the minister with responsibility for children in Britain, Beverley Hughes.

Presenter: Andrew Brown
Producer: Chris Bowlby
Editor: Nicola Meyrick