Many factors affect family stability and well-being. Changes occurring over the last 20 years have strongly impacted on traditional family life. These changes include increases in divorce, single parent families, step and blended families and the proportion of couples choosing to live in defacto relationships. Given that couples state the main reason for separation and divorce as being relationship problems such as lack of communication, feelings of neglect and constant arguments, it follows that many children are experiencing these problems as well. Even in healthy families conflict occurs.
Children are often the forgotten participants of family disruption and conflict between parents.
Every year almost 20,000 children and young people contact Kids Help Line about family relationship concerns. Many children contact KHL after attempts to speak to parents and family members have failed, either through being ignored or minimised. Other children find it difficult to raise problems with their family. Others need help to clarify their concerns before approaching family members. Some phone because there is no-one else to turn to.