The stereotype of adolescence as a time of storm and strife with parents is far from accurate, according to a family trends report released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
The AIFS' report Australian Families With Children and Adolescents reveals that an overwhelming 72% of teenagers aged between 15 and 17 are 'highly satisfied' with their relationships with their parents.
The study also found that the majority of parents were also highly satisfied with their relationships with their children. Mothers were particularly positive, with around 82% saying they were satisfied, compared to 71% of fathers.
The report also examined parents' personal relationships with their step-children, an area that appeared to be more problematic than relationships between biological parents and their adolescent children. Around 42% of step-mothers and 57% of step-fathers said they were highly satisfied with the relationship they had with their step-children.
There were also problems from the step-children’s point of view, with only 38% of girls and 48% of boys saying they were highly satisfied with their relationships with step-parents.
AIFS' Assistant Director (Research) Ms Ruth Weston, explained:
"There are a lot of complexities in step-families. In times past, you typically became a step-parent when a biological parent died. However, these days it's more likely to come about through separation and re-partnering, so children may have one or two step-parents.
"Family relationships are also more complex than in the past. Whether a new partner is seen as a step-parent may vary not only across families but also within a family.”
