Barnardo’s report - Children’s happiness comes first

WE SHOULD be very happy that the majority of children surveyed by the children’s charity Barnardo’s say they are happy to be alive in Ireland today.

That is no mean achievement, and it will be a relief for a great many parents that their children recognise, as they do themselves, that a loving and secure family environment is the most important element in realising this most enriching of experiences.

We should not be surprised by this, that the age-old formality of a cherished family offers the greatest possibility of being happy.