The second Italian edition of the “Kinderometer, the detector of small moments” arrives: an international survey on the relationship between parents and children, with the particularity of the dual perspective of the two generations. The study commissioned to Ipsos, a center specialized in market research worldwide, was carried out in November 2020 in 8 European and non-European countries (Italy, France, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, Poland, Saudi Arabia and China) and not only mothers and fathers, but also children aged between 7 and 15 were interviewed. The Kinderometer, as a recurring appointment, represents an initiative to provide the public and professionals not only with a snapshot of current family dynamics, but also a vision of trends thanks to the development of the project in the medium-long term. research remains to investigate the evolution of parenthood and the key factors involved in the development of children, to seize all the opportunities to strengthen the bond with parents through small moments of sharing. In fact, Kinder has always given value to small moments, because they are the ones that matter most in the eyes of children: the small daily moments that parents share with children are the ones that have the most impact in their lives, but sometimes, they lose sight of them. this simple truth. It is fundamental for Kinder to help create, on any occasion, in families the pleasure of being together, through small and joyful moments of sharing.But in a year marked by the advent of the pandemic, it was also of primary interest to understand if and in what how the quarantine has affected family relationships, today and in the future. The evidence that emerged from the Kinderometer opens a debate on the teachings and the rediscovered “good habits”, touching on the following themes: the positive and even stronger bond between parents and children, despite a busy year; the oscillation of parents between two models of parenthood, trying to reconcile discipline and autonomy; the time spent in front of the screens, an important educational challenge for parents; The general picture that emerges from the international survey is that although it was sometimes difficult for both parents and children to live, last year it also strengthened the bond that unites them: the first quarantine period it represented a great opportunity to share more than usual those moments of daily simplicity that matter. Chatting, drawing, doing sports, doing homework, playing video games, reading, watching a movie, cooking, eating together are some of the most frequently shared activities during lockdown and some of these still continue to be shared between parents. The role of the parent is a complex job and parents try to build their own model of balance. Being a good parent means both providing a defined framework of rules and allowing children to be independent: both dimensions are crucial. Sport, reading and manual activities such as drawing reflect this mix of discipline and autonomy: sharing these activities contributes to the development of cognitive abilities and physical well-being of children (sphere of discipline) and, at the same time, stimulates them. creativity, self-confidence and personality (sphere of autonomy). Always in the DNA of the Kinder brand thanks also to the Kinder Joy of Moving social responsibility project, physical activity represents one of the most important pillars for the growth and development of children: 74% of parents and children practice it together. Doing sports together allows parents and children to share a fun time, but it is also a way for parents to contribute to the education and development of their children.The digital life of children is the perfect example of the challenges thrown at the role of the modern parent: the time spent in front of the screens is also the thorniest point in their relationship and the most meaningful source of discussion. Kids aged 7 to 15 are digital natives, a technological generation used to doing many things online: Interestingly, screen use is high regardless of age, older and younger kids own a tablet in equal measure . While parents and children generally agree on the advantages offered by screens (increased awareness and knowledge), parents and children have a different perception of potential dangers: parents identify the risks very well (such as less socialization), while children are less aware of them. Finally, it is interesting to note that from the international comparison between countries so far from each other, a substantial homogeneity of the general situation emerges, albeit with specificity for each country. For example, parents in Italy, Saudi Arabia and China have taken advantage of quarantine much more than others to carry out more activities than usual with their children, even appreciating them more clearly than usual. Furthermore, while the Italian parents continued to carry out these activities with the same frequency of the quarantine period even after the lock-down was over, the Chinese and Saudi parents did not instead maintain these new habits. Or the complexity and duality of the parenting model: parents in Italy, France, Great Britain and Germany are equally divided between the two dimensions of discipline and autonomy, while parents in Russia, Poland, China and Saudi Arabia are strongly oriented towards leaving. as much independence as possible. Or as far as technology is concerned, it emerged that Italian children use social networks and games like Candy Crush significantly less than the average in all countries.
