The Family - It's Not Toxic, It's Thriving

LONDON, March 29/PRNewswire/ --

Families remain strong and functional according to a report out today
which paints a different picture from that of a "toxic childhood" so commonly
described in the press. Stories of childhood obesity, increase in violence
and crime, falling academic results, couch potato teenagers are rife and
contribute to a sense of doom when thinking about our children and families.
But given the opportunity, families describe a very different scenario.

With over 40% of families spending 8 hours or more a week
together and 68% of parents agreeing that quality family time is about 'just
being together', a new study suggests that, actually, families like each
other and want to spend time together. Families are finding a modern, 21st
century way of maintaining family life that may be different from previous
generations, but is no less valuable or enjoyable for it.

The report, commissioned by Center Parcs and published by
Parent Focus, looks at how modern families spend time together: how they have
fun, what they enjoy doing and who takes part. Based on discussions with
different parents across the country, it shows how parents are blending the
old and new activities, creating a more democratic, participatory family
life.

Commenting on the report, Mary MacLeod, Chief Executive of the
Family and Parenting Institute said,

"In a climate of anxiety and negative comment about family
life, it is both salutary and heartening to be reminded that the picture is
not so bleak as one might believe. Family life is not without its challenges,
but on the whole parents do want to do their best for their children and most
are doing a good job.

Families appear to have embraced the huge range of activities available
to them including playing electronic games together alongside some of the
more traditional activities like board games and going to the park."

Creating good memories for their children was uppermost in
parents' minds and was often the driving force behind the energy given over
to making sure the family could spend leisure time together.

Center Parcs commissioned the report to better understand a
picture of modern family life. Martin Dalby, Chief Executive of Center Parcs
said, "At Center Parcs we see families enjoying spending time together. In
fact our most popular activities are the ones where all members of the family
can participate. Our experience conflicts with many predictions of the
collapse of family life and we were keen to investigate just how real
families interact in the 21st century."

Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet welcomed the report
saying,

"It's refreshing to read a report on parenting which captures
how hard most parents try to do the right thing for their children. On
mumsnet.com we frequently encounter parents planning and working out ways to
spend time with their family, despite the pressures of modern life that are
put on them."

All of which provides a refreshing contrast to the
doom-mongers intent on characterising the family as a failing institution on
the brink of collapse.

Note to Editor:

- Set in the beautiful locations of Sherwood Forest,
Nottinghamshire, Elveden Forest, Suffolk, Longleat Forest, Wiltshire and
Whinfell Forest in Cumbria, Center Parcs is the perfect woodland escape. As
the leader in the UK short break holiday market, it occupies a unique
position after 20 years of operation in Britain, enjoying enviable annual
occupancy rates in excess of 90% and welcoming over 1.5m guests each year. In
that time, the name Center Parcs has become synonymous with the provision of
an exceptional short break experience in a forest location.

- Parent Focus is an independent company specialising in
understanding parents. They conduct research with parents and develop family
friendly policy.

- The qualitative element of the research consisted of six
groups and four couple interviews with children present. In total 44 parents
were involved. A discussion guide led the groups but free-running discussion
was allowed to take place. The groups were recruited to reflect a
geographical spread, with an ethnic and social class mix.

- This was backed up with quantitative research carried out
online by Research Now to a sample of 1000, taken from their 370,000 UK
Valued Opinions panel. All participants were required to be from the UK, over
the age of 18 and have one or more child under the age of 18. The survey
consisted of 17 questions and was carried out online.

- To download a full copy of the report visit
http://www.parentfocus.org.uk

http://www.centerparcs.co.uk

Source: Center Parcs Ltd

For further information contact: Vicki Shotbolt on +44(0)7795-047-469 or Vicki@parentfocus.org.uk; For further information about Center Parcs contact: Alex Dehnert or Hannah Burden on +44(0)207-3492513/12 or centerparcs@halpern.co.uk or visit http://www.centerparcs.co.uk

2008-03-28 19:02:53 0322528 PRNEWSWIRE