Family pressures

THERE are few areas of society that could claim to be living through the economic crisis unscathed, but the news that the stresses of modern living are pushing four in every 10 families to “breaking point” is deeply concerning.

By The Newsroom

Published 15th Nov 2011, 08:47 BST

The family unit is one of the cornerstones of society, but with escalating levels of personal debt, growing unemployment, high childcare costs and diminishing state support, a survey reveals many with young children are finding the pressure difficult to bear,

Such issues create a ripple effect far beyond the home – and figures revealing that more than 8,000 young people ran away from home in Yorkshire alone last year are a worrying illustration of these stresses.

In the light of a collapsing economy in Europe, wars overseas or international terrorism, such problems can seem almost trivial. However, it is time family pressures were pushed up the agenda as the consequences of ignoring them are potentially severe.

The increase in gang culture and the summer riots are sobering reminders that if the foundations of society are weakened, it is not long before the rest of the edifice crashes down.

Yorkshire Europe