Tough love 'is good for children'

"Children brought up according to "tough love" principles are more successful in life, according to a study. The think tank Demos says a balance of warmth and discipline improved social skills more than an laissez-faire, authoritarian or disengaged upbringing. " We were...

Womb transplants 'a step closer'

"The first successful human womb transplant could take place within two years, British scientists have said. London-based experts say they have worked out how to transplant a womb with a regular blood supply so it will last long enough to carry a pregnancy." Personally, I...

Teen pregnancies on the rise for the first time in over a decade

"SOME blame demography, others the recession. It might have something to with gender roles, or the steady stream of mixed messages about being a teenage mum. Perhaps sexually transmitted infections are not the deterrent they once were."There is much debate about why teenage...

Dads 'to share maternity leave'

"Fathers will be able to take six months' paternity leave, the government has announced. The move will allow mothers to decide to return to work after six months and fathers to stay at home for the rest of the 12 months off allowed by law. "Good, and not before time. I...

Motherhood 'devastates' women's pay, research finds

"Women with children earn about 22% less than their male colleagues, according to a new report that explores the "devastating" impact of motherhood on earnings. "Before becoming parents, men and women are equally likely to be employed, but childbirth marks the start of a...

BULLYING —THERE IS A SOLUTION

Although bullying is an old problem, it sure seems to have a new face. Starting out as a teacher three decades ago, I tended to tell parents to simply step out of the picture and let their son or daughter face their bullies on their own. That was the advice our parents gave...

Selfish adults 'damage childhood'

"The aggressive pursuit of personal success by adults is now the greatest threat to British children, a major independent report on childhood says. It calls for a sea-change in social attitudes and policies to counter the damage done to children by society. Family break-up,...