Only 20 per cent picked a sports star or pop culture identity as their main role model. Children surveyed also said they felt proud when they received parental approval, and regularly seek advice from their families when they are worried about something. The only exception was when children are concerned about their parents separating or divorcing. Given that the family is the primary group of significant others, it follows that a young person s identity and existence is strongly influenced by the family system. It is not surprising that, for many children and young people, family relationships are both a indicator of well-being and also a source of concern and distress.
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.