Six in 10 parents worry their teenage children lack essential life skills, survey claims

Parents concerned their offspring will be unable to cope with challenging situations, poll finds

Nearly a third of parents worry their children do not have the emotional skills to cope with difficult situations, according to the survey (Getty iStock)

Six in 10 parents worry their teenage children lack essential life skills, according to a new survey of 1,000 mothers and fathers of children aged 13 and over.

The poll found many respondents were concerned that their teenager did not know how to deal with stress, budget or look after themselves on a night out.

One fifth said their child would not be able to deal with a broken heart, while 16 per cent thought their child would not be able to stand up for themselves.

"How to say no" if they do not want to do something, public speaking and how to exhibit confidence are also among the skills modern teenagers lack, according to those questioned.

Many said they did not think their child can sew on a button, read a map, eat a balanced diet or iron a shirt.

Working as part of a team, knowing how to be empathetic towards others and having resilience are also skills the parents polled wish their teenager was armed with – but fear they are not.

“There are a multitude of ways in which youngsters today can learn essential life skills for their future," said Claire Round of National Citizen Service (NCS Trust), which carried out the study in conjunction with its programme to help 16-17 year olds build confidence and learn life skills. “While it is so important for parents to have a hand in teaching qualities such as politeness, trustworthiness and confidence, they can’t be held responsible for shaping their child’s entire personality and characteristics.''

The survey also found one in six respondents did not think their teenager can manage their own time effectively, understand interest rates, cook a roast dinner or build a good credit score.

And while 29 per cent of those polled were most worried about their child having the emotional skills to cope with difficult situations, 22 per cent also feared their offspring did not have the practical skills either.

It also emerged 63 per cent thought schools have a responsibility to teach things like how to save money, how to speak publicly and how to be a good friend.

Seven in 10 said it was most important for their children to learn financial skills, while 63 per cent wanted them to be able to manage their emotions effectively.

Almost three-quarters (73 per cent) agreed their child needed to go through challenging experiences as a teenager to build character.

SWNS