Growing Up in Ireland: The Families of 9-Year-Olds

This is the second in a series of Key Findings from the Growing Up in Ireland study. It summarises some of the facts about 9-year-olds and their families.The family is one of the main influences on a child's development. The more supportive the family, the better the outcomes for the child are likely to be. 'The family' means more than just the size and composition of the household in which the child lives. It includes the complex inter-relationships between members of the household, such as those between the parent(s) and the child, and parenting practices and discipline within the family.Four aspects of the families of 9-year-olds in Ireland are discussed: (i) the size and structure of families and their income levels; (ii) the impact of work on family life; (iii) parenting styles and (iv) discipline in the family.