The Federal Government has released its annual report into the state of Australian children, concluding that children from low-socioeconomic families are significantly less likely to believe in their educational potential.

 

The Australia: The Longitudinal study of Australian Children 2010-11 found that 53 per cent of children aged 10 to 11 years from lower socio-economic backgrounds believed they were doing well at school, compared with 64 per cent of children from high-socioeconomic families.

 

Minister for Community Services, Julie Collins, said the report reinforced the importance of supporting families.

 

“We understand that some low and middle income families are finding it tough to make ends meet and that financial stress affects the whole family, including children and their chances of continuing their education,” Ms Collins said.

 

The report found that half of children from low-socio economic families regularly enjoy reading at home, compared to three quarters from high-socio economic backgrounds.

 

Only 39 per cent of girls reported enjoying maths at school compared with 59 per cent of boys, but more girls (61 per cent) enjoyed reading and writing than boys (45 per cent). 

 

Other areas covered in the report include children’s weight management, children’s attitudes to their neighbourhoods, parents’ knowledge of their children’s friends, whether the beliefs of parents and children are closely aligned and whether parents know what their children are doing during the day.

 

Children were also asked about their worries and concerns, including family issues and their personal appearance. The study found that children were more worried about their parents losing their jobs (49 per cent) than the way they looked (21 per cent) or not fitting in with their friends (29 per cent).

 

To view the report visit www.fahcsia.gov.au