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At birth, our brains are about a third of the size of an adult brain. 

Billions of neurons communicate with each other and many are ‘pruned’ away in the early years. 

This development is in response to so-called ‘serve and return’ relationships a child has with key adults, usually their family.  According to Harvard Center for the Developing Child, brain architecture built through our experiences of relationships has a significant impact on later health, happiness and learning.

In 2014 the government introduced The Family Test to encourage a review of policy impact on families, of all forms and situations.  In 2019, no central government (pdf link) departments could confirm how many times the test had been applied.

In 2018, there were more than 8 million people living alone in the UK. This number is driven by increases in women aged 45 to 64 years and men of 65 to 74 years. One in four 20 to 34-year-olds were living with their parents. Have a look at the data for yourself.

79% of 16-25-year-olds polled in September 2019 stated that being in lasting and fulfilling relationships is at least as important as their work ambitions.  Almost 15% felt they lacked role models for these relationships. 16-24-year-olds felt expectations in society get in the way of committed relationships.  For 62%, the barrier is an expectation of immediate happiness.

57% felt that social media feeds unrealistic expectations of a ‘perfect relationship’.

Polled in June 2019, parents of primary and secondary age pupils agreed that it was important for schools to help children ‘understand and be prepared for’ key relationships in life with family (92%), friendship (92%), workplace (88%) and sexual relationships (85%).  

The standout reason given by parents who did not talk to the school about relationship and sex education (RSE) was that they did not know their child’s teacher well enough. The data from our Survation poll is here.

In the 41-page document that is The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ‘family’ or ‘families’ are referenced a total of 5 times, despite 23 references to ‘societies’

We think we need to have some conversations about families and relationships. 

Do you?