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11/11/2009

Michael Buerk chairs a debate on the moral questions behind the week's news. Claire Fox, Kenan Malik, Melanie Phillips and Clifford Longley cross-examine witnesses.

What is the best way to bring up a child? According to the think tank Demos the answer is clear. Children whose parents adopt a 'tough love approach' are much more likely to develop vital life than those whose parents took a more laissez-faire attitude to rules and boundaries. The research also found it was middle-class and married parents that were most likely to take the tough love approach. Demos believe this study shows the best way to bring up children and it's time to be more honest about the damage that poor parenting is causing our society. With so much at stake should parenting be a private matter or should the state take more action to support the most vulnerable children and their parents? What is the nature of good parenting, can we teach it and what should be the government's role in it all?

Witnesses:

Sue Cohen, director of Single Parents Action Network

Nola Leach, general director of CARE (Christian Action, Research and Education)

Dr Ellie Lee, Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, University of Kent

Richard Reeves, director of DEMOS.

45 minutes

Last on

Sat 14 Nov 2009 22:15

Broadcasts

  • Wed 11 Nov 2009 20:00
  • Sat 14 Nov 2009 22:15

The Evidence Toolkit

The Evidence Toolkit

Check out the claims made in news stories with this interactive tool.

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