In 2016, the Valuing Children Initiative (VCI) commissioned their benchmark survey examining adult attitudes towards children. This research was based on the view that – although frequently missing from discussions – attitudes and the culture of a society are pivotal to children’s wellbeing. In 2022, VCI is repeating and extending the original survey and invites you to participate.
The researchers would like to hear from people aged 18 and over from all over Australia, with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and there are a number of $50 vouchers being given away to people who complete the survey. You can access the survey here.
In addition to completing the survey yourself, you are encouraged to share it with your library community via e-news, social media, etc. You can share these posts from VCI’s Facebook or LinkedIn. You can also download this poster for display in the library.
“Attitudes to children, how we value them, individually and as a section of society, directly impact how we treat them and the priority we give to their needs and rights,” VCI Development Executive Maddie McLeod said. “We have been working hard to raise the profile of children’s needs, issues and wellbeing and are keen to assess the results of the survey. The research will help not only us, but many others, to identify key adult attitudes that may be barriers to better outcomes for Australian children.”
The research will be led by The University of Western Australia’s Dr Stephan Lund, who will be assisted by an impressive team of researchers including Dr Ruth Wallace from Edith Cowan University, Dr Catherine Archer from Murdoch University and Curtin University’s Dr Madeleine Dobson – who has collaborated with VCI previously to complete ‘A Child’s Voice’ research report. “As researchers we are committed to ensuring that we can use the research outcomes with VCI to advocate for a stronger voice for children’s rights,” says Dr Lund.
The survey has been approved by the University of Western Australia’s Human Ethics Committee (Approval number 2021/ET000818), is voluntary and completely anonymous.
Complete the survey here.