

Our report, released in the lead up to Childhood Hero Day Thursday 14 June, has revealed that Australian children are deeply concerned about the state of the environment and the impact of climate change.
Dr Joe Tucci, CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation, said “Children’s sense of their place in the world is under threat. Children are nervous about global problems and the implications for the future they are faced with.
“It is often said that children and young people live in the here and now with little regard for the future. These findings clearly challenge this popular notion.”
The report also revealed that more than a third of children were anxious about terrorism, were worried about having to fight in a war and one in four believed the world will end before they reach adulthood.
“Children’s sense of their community and themselves is also under threat. More than half worry about being teased and bullied. 1 in 10 are concerned about being called names because of their culture or nationality. There is a real crisis in confidence in children with 4 in 10 feeling that they never do well enough and a large number worried about the way they look (41%),” continued Dr Tucci.
In the lead up to the Foundation’s annual fundraiser Childhood Hero Day on Thursday 14 June, the report highlights children’s need for every day heroes, like their parents, who offer an important buffer to their fears and concerns.
“90% of children enjoy spending time with their parents and most Aussie kids nominate their hero as either Mum or Dad. It’s important that all Australians recognise that children’s concerns for their future are real and adults, in turn, should listen to them.”
Broader global issues
Self confidence & body image
Peer relationships & bullying
Experiences of adults
Treatment by the media
The results are published in a report by Tucci, J., Mitchell, J. and Goddard, C. (2007). Children’s fears, hopes and heroes – Modern Childhood in Australia tracking Australian children’s attitudes and concerns about childhood. Australian Childhood Foundation and the National Research Centre for the Prevention of Child Abuse at Monash University.
The online study was undertaken by Quantum Market Research with a nationally representative sample of 600 children and young people aged between 10-14 years.
Download full 2007 report .pdf >>

