Working Mothers Damage Children?

According to a report by charity the Children's Society the growing economic independence of women is linked to the break-up of families, which in turn is damaging children. The report, compiled by more than 35,000 contributors, including 20,000 children, is independent of the Church of England-affiliated Children's Society, but has been endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

The Children's Society said two changes stood out, the first being that most women now worked and had careers as well as being mothers. The second change was the rise in family break-ups. However, figures published by Unicef in 2007 showed that children in Scandinavian countries – where rates of family break-up are similar to the UK – are happier than British children.

Criticism is made of the lack of support in Britain for families and calls for parenting classes, psychological support when relationships come under strain and more help if children develop behavioural problems.