Parents' indulgence blamed for bad conduct

Over-indulgent parents are causing a behaviour crisis in Britain's primary schools, according to research by Cambridge University published today.

Some parents allow children even as young as five to stay up until 3am and give in to temper tantrums – so they think they can get their own way at school. Then, say the researchers, parents threaten teachers with violence if they attempt to discipline them.

The survey of 200 teachers, parents and pupils, commissioned by Britain's largest teachers' union, the National Union of Teachers, said that dealing with parents was the single biggest factor in increasing their workload over the past six years.

The report added: "Motivating certain children had become more difficult because by the time they come to school many of these children had become expert in manipulating adults."

Steve Sinnott, the NUT's general secretary, said the "indulgent" parents were struggling against a commercialism that was targeting children.

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