British parents feel themselves "judged" and under-valued in a society often intolerant of children and where parenting can be more demanding than paid employment. These are the essential conclusions of a new report showing Britain lagging behind Europe as a "family friendly place" in which to live.
"Many parents seem to feel that this country doesn't value them as much as it should and is generally not warm and welcoming to children, " said Ms Mary MacLeod, chief executive of the National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) yesterday. "They talk of reluctance to accept children in restaurants and pubs and very expensive leisure and holiday costs. Most of all parents seem to feel judged."
NFPI released its report to mark the first national Parents' Week, running from next Monday, intended to celebrate parenting and to recognise the value and importance of being a parent.
But the report found little cause for celebration as it documented the contrast between the theory of government policies designed to support families and a reality in which "parents in Britain still feel left to go it alone".
More than 200 parents were questioned for the report Is Britain Family-Friendly? They cited lack of funded childcare - available to only 2 per cent of children under three, compared to 23 per cent in France and 6 per cent in Italy - as a major example of Britain lagging behind the levels of European provision.
According to the report, other areas in which Britain suffers by comparison with other EU countries include lack of facilities on trains and high transport costs, especially in London. Maternity pay in the UK is among the lowest in Europe, while British fathers work the longest hours, parental leave is unpaid and just five per cent of employers offer a full range of family-friendly benefits such as assistance with child care and flexible working patterns.
Ms MacLeod said: "Despite some good new government policies designed to support families, parents in Britain still feel left to go it alone, expected to manage raising children and working, with little allowance made for their vital family responsibilities. This report shows that we still have a long way to go to improve things for families and parents."
She continued: "Being a family-friendly country is not just about what the government does, or what the tax and benefit system offers, it's about the attitudes of the people we live with, work with and meet in our daily lives." The NFPI yesterday called on retailers, bus and rail companies, restaurants, pubs and public services to "audit" the services they offer families and children.
This reflected the findings of parents that Britain could do better in three key areas: financial support for families, greater help and flexibility to balance working and family life, and more tolerance for families with children in public places and on public transport.
Reacting to the report, the Minister for Women, Baroness Jay, said: "Much has been achieved over the last three years but there is still more to do to support parents, which we are working hard on."