英格蘭兒童幸福狀態堪虞

　　8月24日BBC聽力：英格蘭兒童幸福狀況堪虞

　　The Good Childhood Report published yesterday by the Children's Society is a sobering read. Itfocuses on the 'subjective wellbeing' of children between ten and twelve; that is, how they saythey're feeling - leaving aside how affluent or healthy they are. In a table of children in fifteencountries, English children came fourteenth, below Algeria and Ethiopia.

　　It's sad news; and we know from elsewhere that mental health difficulties are rising sharplyamong young people. Bullying is a particular problem and English girls are especially prone tofeeling bad about their appearance and confidence. But why is this happening?

　　Various causes are proposed — our exam-focused education system,the influence ofadvertising and social media and so on. A common thread is that they encourage us tocompare ourselves to other people or an idealised view of how things should be — how weshould look, what we should achieve or the perfect existence we ought to be having.Psychologists call this 'the discrepancy monitor'.

　　Approaches drawn from Buddhism already play a role in efforts to change things for youngpeople. One alternative to constantly comparing is focusing on what's happening in thepresent moment, with contentment and acceptance. There's plenty of research showing howmindfulness practices drawn from Buddhism, foster that attitude. Pausing and accessing asense of calm can create the space for a young person to start letting go of the anxious beliefthat they're fat or ugly, or don't fit in.

　　What we call 'skilful action' is also important. In Buddhist teachings, acting ethically, withgenerosity and kindness, doesn't just benefit the recipient; it also helps us. A generousact encourages a more generous state of mind. That inclines us to act generously in thefuture, and brings a sense of satisfaction. That's why for Buddhism generosity,truthfulness, kindness and so on, are practices, qualities or skills that we can cultivate andrefine.

　　The increasing pressures on young people and the signs of their growing unhappiness mustmean that their emotional wellbeing is no longer something we can take for granted. Suchwellbeing has long been the concern of Buddhism; but whatever its role, sources like the GoodChildhood Report show the pressing need approaches if our children are to survive andthrive.

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