Kate Taylor

By Kate Taylor katetaylor

The saying “all things in moderation” has never been truer. Research has shown recently that the age old adage may have more merit than previously thought.

A study headed by NatCen (funded by the Department of Health in line with PM Cameron’s early focus on “not just GDP, but GWB – general well-being”) has evaluated data from a myriad of sources to find out what really makes our society happy on a subjective level. The findings for children are surprising.

The Millenium Cohort Study asked seven-year-olds about how much they felt happy or worried, comparing it against variables such as diet, exercise, affluency and family relationships. It would appear that those who ate sugary snacks between meals tended to be happier than those who ate an unbalanced diet for the majority, but also more so than those who had a blanket ban on unhealthy treats. Although one does have to ponder on the physical effect of the odd packet of chocolate buttons when compared to peer pressure in the playground at snack time.

In addition, children who were allowed to watch an hour or less of TV a day were more content than those who overloaded in front of the tube, and again more so than those without television. On this note, it would be intriguing to see what well-being levels look like when compared to computer and tablet use, as iPads, tablets and e-readers are now routinely given out within an educational environment, and indeed available through some schools to take home.

As could be predicted, children who enjoy PE tend to have the highest wellbeing. A fun exercise regime is a key part of primary education for instilling a life-long, positive relationship with physical activities and healthier life choices.

Those with a stable family background also fared better. A happy sibling relationship, parents who didn’t shout and units that had ‘family fun’ together on weekends generally seem to have less negatives and a more positive outlook on life.

The Children’s Society found that youths who felt their views were taken seriously and treated ‘fairly’ had higher self-esteem and in turn greater wellbeing. The research also suggested that children were not bothered about being extremely wealthy, merely having just enough to participate in peer activities and fit in with other’s socio-economic status. Children living in poorer households in poverty-stricken areas are twice as likely to have a low well-being than those who are not.

This is a dire finding for our county – according to the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for Lincolnshire by the Health and Wellbeing board, 12% of Lincolnshire’s population (using IMD 2010), now live within the 20% most deprived areas of England compared with 11% in 2007.

The JSNA for Lincolnshire’s report shows that some health and poverty related issues are lower than the national average in general, but achievement gaps with children from vulnerable groups against their peers is wider. These all have an effect on the happiness and well-being of our county’s children, but extensive measures have been put in place to combat such issues.

The recent data analysis seems to show a few positive steps, firstly that local and national government, along with think tanks, are looking at the wider picture when it comes to the welfare of future generations. Along with this, whether it be the occasional packet of crisps or focusing on inclusive ‘family time’ in the home, the key to a child’s happiness is formed not from magic, but of common sense.

Kate Taylor is a sociologist, mother and tea and cake lover. When not working in sociological and marketing research with her company, Galilee Research, Kate can be found talking about political philosophy on the school run.

By Kate Taylor katetaylor

…Is a woman rolling her eyes. Or there was, until they got started on pushing the glass ceiling that seemed to be going nowhere. The question is how far have we come, does the space from the floor leave room for maneuver?

During the recent Indian elections, some interesting statistics have arisen. Of those standing, 10% of women win, whereas their male counterparts can only boast a 6% victory in comparison. Along with this, the Poverty Action Lab have collated a colossal amount of data on the topic, discovering that men and women have different interests when it comes to how government budgets should be spent. Women appear to be looking towards improving electricity supplies and water sources, whereas men want to see greater educational facilities and better irrigation and ponds.

It would seem that women are more ‘family oriented’ and look to what will help at home. I’m not sure this is an entirely fair view, the phrase ‘women help women’ seems to be forced into our psyche and this seems to largely hypothesised, at least in this case.

Back here the column inches over Maria Miller, former Culture Secretary, are rising. Regardless of your personal viewpoint for Miller’s behaviour, it’s difficult to ignore the lynchmob.

Channel 4 news presenter Cathy Newman wrote in the Telegraph: “But when the obituaries come to be written about Maria Miller, the most depressing truth for the Culture Secretary will be how the debacle over her expenses has subsumed everything else; I suspect that’s because there is very little else.”

I am in awe. Like thousands of politicians before her, recently and not, she made a cock up and resigned. Is that any reason to talk about what will be said after she departs the mortal coil?

Of course the side effect of this is that central government is now whittled down to three women out of twenty two posts. Cameron has reshuffled, and his shuffling skills would get him kicked out of a casino. The PM also promised us that a third of the cabinet would be female by the end of this parliament – another shining example of pre-election patter.

The new Minister for Women, Nicky Morgan, voted against equal marriage rights. The post for Equalities Minister has gone to Sajid Javid, with Nicky drafted in so he wouldn’t be left holding the women’s issues. I’m waiting to see how long it is until number ten tries to arrange a live web chat with Mumsnet and the Women’s Institute (or indeed, the highly acclaimed Gransnet).

Women’s Hour have announced their top ten powerful women for the year, from Julie Bentley (chief exec of GirlGuiding) to Julie Bailey (founder of Cure the NHS).

Clearly there has been a shift within perspectives in the representation of power. Far from the usual selection of boardroom woman and stereotypical power dressers, there are those with causes and ideas for change.

In at number ten was Caitlin Moran, the journalist-come-Tweeter-come-author and common sense feminist. This is one of the few times I wil dare to use that word: feminism. Which is ridiculous, as all feminism is and ever has been about is equality. Just as we have fought homophobia and racism, sexism is very real, and equally unbelievable but somehow more palatable.

Why is this? In the 21st century; with women proving themselves physically, mentally, spiritually and scientifically in every which way, why are the “fairer” sex still not treated fairly? Joss Whedon (writer, producer and director) once spoke at an Equality Now function, speaking of the usual rhetoric he recieves in interviews, he decided to impersonate a journalist to give his conclusive reply:

“- So why do you write these strong female characters?”
“- Because you’re still asking me that question.”

Democracy is based upon equality; it is the foundation of rationality. When we look at our government, is it any wonder we are in dire straights?

Kate Taylor is a sociologist, mother and tea and cake lover. When not working in sociological and marketing research with her company, Galilee Research, Kate can be found talking about political philosophy on the school run.