This generation of young people is the best educated,
informed, travelled, confident and affluent in the history of this
country. They are noted for their willingness to work in college and
jobs, keep in touch with and support their peer group friends.
However, underlying their self assurance there can be
many uncertainties. While the Celtic Tiger has enriched some and given
security to many others, there is still competition for college entry
points, and jobs. There are also worries about job reliability, careers
and housing.
Moreover, the invasion of personal space by mass
information and entertainment media, generated by people with an alien
or negative value system can shake or corrupt the vision of life parents
and educators try to create.
As a consequence, as one teacher put it, more and more
youngsters are falling through the cracks. This is evident in high rates
among the young of alcoholism, drug abuse, abortion, street crime and
suicide. Suicide is now the main cause of death among young men.
The amount of support
young people need is almost limitless. One crucial area where this
support begins is in the home. Research shows dysfunctional behaviour
begins with poor child-parent relationships. Nurture Institute was
set up by a group of professional people ten years ago to work in this
critical field of parent-child relationships.
The
Nurture Institute has three main
functions:
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We provide parenting courses to
equip parents in their valuable work of raising children and
can provide parenting courses to any schools or other childcare
organisations, for information please contact the office.
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We can provide information on
a range of counselling and psychological services and act as a gateway in
which parents can make contact with the correct professional to get
access to help for particular difficulties.
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We can provide speakers on
topics relevant to child rearing and childhood issues to any
interested group: i.e., schools, youth groups, parents associations
