It is inevitable that children will come across what seems to them insurmountable problems in the course of growing up. If there has been a breakdown in family communication, the effects of those perceived problems in the child will be infinitely more dramatic. A child who receives little or no attention and time from its parents is far more likely to run away from home. The second factor which is taking its toll on the cohesiveness of the family is that children are no longer receiving a moral education. Basic moral values, and in particular simple respect for parents and other people, are no longer being taught or emphasised in the schools.
Some children develop an ambivalent and contemptuous attitude to parents.
Parents tho attempt to maintain some sort of discipline and direction within such households are faced with resistance. The result is friction within the family as the parent struggles to maintain standards within the home. From this friction flows frustration and disillusionment on the part of the parents and resentment on the part of the child. Unless the vicious cycle is stopped a breakdown in communications between child and parents follows. The severe financial burden which successive governments have placed on the family is a third contributory factor.