Shocking Number of Parents Say Their Kids Have No Friends

The following is excerpted from an online article posted by StudyFinds.

In the bustling playground of childhood, friendships are often taken for granted — with kids easily bonding while sharing a swing or trading snacks at lunchtime. For many kids, however, the art of making friends isn’t as simple as it seems.

A recent study from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital has uncovered an often-overlooked aspect of childhood development, finding a surprising number of children struggle to make friends. In fact, the poll finds one in five parents fear their children currently have no friends at all.

The poll of 1,031 parents with kids between six and 12 years-old reveals that 20% of kids potentially feel lonely or isolated during crucial years of social development.

“Friendships can play a significant role in children’s overall health and development, emotional well-being, self-esteem and social skills,” says Sarah Clark, M.P.H., co-director of the Mott Poll, in a media release.

So, what’s stopping kids from forming these vital connections? The study identified several common hurdles. About one in five parents cited shyness or social awkwardness as the main obstacle for their child. Another 15% of parents pointed to unkind behavior from other children as a barrier. Less than 10% of parents mentioned medical conditions or disabilities as a challenge.

Interestingly, parents of older children were more likely to mention that existing friend groups or limited places to socialize made it harder for their kids to make new friends. This suggests that as children grow, the social landscape becomes more complex, potentially making it more challenging to forge new connections.

Source: StudyFinds
https://studyfinds.org/parents-kids-have-no-friends/