The manifesto for a new 'law of love'

A book summary of the results of the UK Good Childhood Inquiry has made the case for a new approach to child welfare and well-being that rejuvenates ideas about public service and neighbourly love.

 
Until now, the UK’s persistently poor showing in the European league tables of child happiness and well-being has produced little more substantial than hand-wringing and promises to do better.
 
Here it has at least found articulate and imaginative advocates for change in the  shape of a panel of experts assembled by the Church of England Children’s Society to analyze the results of its Good Childhood Inquiry.
 
 
A Good Childhood” is fundamentally concerned with re-examining what children need in order to “flourish,” a state which it defines as “social engagement and the enjoyment of life – fulfilling our capacity to live in harmony with others and with ourselves”.
 
Too much in our current living patterns fails to promote these ends, the authors argue.
 
 
Unusually they go on to criticise the pursuit of individualism, defined as “the belief that the prime duty of the individual is to make the most of her own life, rather than to contribute to the good of others”. In its place they advocate a change of ethos, a “law of love”. 
 
 
To read the full review of Richard Layard and Judy Dunn’s “A Good Childhood: Searching for values in a competitive age” see Prevention Action.