Leading psychologist to discuss modern childhood at Bristol public lecture

How children are affected by the modern world and what steps can be taken to improve their quality of life is the topic of an open lecture by leading psychologist Dr Richard House in the Wessex Suite at the Thistle Grand Hotel, Bristol on Saturday 16 July from 12-1pm.

The public lecture is part of the Division of Counselling Psychology's Annual Conference from 14-16 July. The full programme can be accessed at www.bps.org.uk/dcop2011

Dr House explained: "The issue of children growing up too quickly is a real concern to parents and they can feel powerless to stop it. Back in 2006 an open letter from such luminaries as Penelope Leach, Philip Pullman and Baroness Greenfield titled 'Modern life leads to more depression among children' led to media frenzy centring on how our children's development was being damaged by today's fast-moving hyper-competitive culture.

"Since then it has been a common theme revisited by the media, politicians and a diverse range of organisations. The publication of the Bailey report by the Mothers' Union (June 2011) with the backing of the Prime Minister has once again thrown this issue in to the spotlight."

In his lecture Dr House will discuss whether what some view as 'moral panics' are legitimate concerns and he will offer some provocative clear-blue sky thinking about the world that professionals, parents, politicians and citizens are creating for our children

Dr House continued: "Moral-panic explanations aside where are we now with regard to these concerns? Despite numerous government initiatives on children's well-being, commercial and technological imperatives still dominate, and childhood experience is arguably in crisis.

"A fresh, emerging field of Counselling Psychology is very well placed to address these concerns, and the psychology profession can make a major contribution to improving our children's quality of life."