Malta worst country for children to grow up in?

Alex Ellul

May 12th 2009, 11:25

@Victor Debono: re your comment that our educational system is amateurish (Tad dilettanti): How come we have so much highly successful professionals, doctors, engineers, bankers, architects, etc.. in Malta or abroad..... Admit that we may not have the best, but the results speak for themselves. But then we may have a few people who do not manage to understand anything at all.

You suggestion to Geir Nilson to go back to scandinavia to raise kids... well, have you done that yourself, or at least planning to? I have raised mine on this tiny little dry rock of ours, and they are both highly successful professionals today. Thanks to our educational system "tad-dilettanti". One last comment: don't be a dilettant

Roy Cecil

May 10th 2009, 12:47

This report should be thrashed. This just exposes the standard of york university. I think they had some extra funds and they decided to burn it on some worthless study. What good comes out of knowing the best part of the world to bring up your kids in?
Do people really believe that dutch kids are happiest in the world? I never knew happiness can be graded these days on a scale of 1-10 . :)

C.Zammit

May 5th 2009, 10:02

@Joseph Borg

Can you honestly say that things where better before? Quite possibly the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Oh and it's connection to this article?

Joseph Borg

May 2nd 2009, 01:43

This is what you get after 25 years of PN administration.

Laura Holmberg

May 2nd 2009, 00:52

The one mistake related to the study is the conclusion that "Malta is the worst country to bring up children".The study doesn't take enough into account to show that. For example, it doesn't say anything about crime levels, which are low and make Malta a better place than most countries to live.

The facts do show, however, that a lot can be done about the well-being of Maltese children. With this kind of reporting, facts often go unnoticed because of hurt feelings. I do wish that Maltese people would manage to ignore their hurt feelings and still see the problems this study points out. Maltese kids are relatively unhealthy, teenage pregnancies and other risk behaviors are high, school is stressful and many youngsters don't feel they have good relationships with their parents. A very important indicator of a good relationship is having the freedom to disagree with the other and still be accepted, and this may be very difficult with parents who are very devoted to their beliefs, which is common wherever religion is highly valued.

The Maltese should be proud of their country, but not acknowledging its problems only stops it from improving.

Victor Debono

May 1st 2009, 12:19

I agree with this study: Malta is indeed one of the worst places in the EU for children to grow up. Just look at our "educational" system (even though it was not taken into consideration): in a nutshell it forces the students to learn everything by heart. That may explain the fact why many Maltese youth are just horrible in mathematics.

@Geir Nilsen
I agree with you. If you are planning to have kids, I strongly suggest you to go back to Scandinavia. Why?
1) Educational system tad-dilettanti (amateurs)
2) Malta is just way too much over populated, with may imply lack of nature, pollution problems and perhaps lower standards of living.
3) History has already showed us that illegal immigrates will increase crime. This is what happened in London, Amsterdam ...etc.
4) Maybe clashes between Maltese and illegal immigrates? History has shown us that radically different cultures may find it a bit difficult to coexist peacefully together... Hopefully this will never occur in Malta.

Stephen Farrugia

Apr 29th 2009, 22:57

Gier nielsen... have faith in something in life, or you will end up searching for something forever, never able to find it.

Mark-Anthony Fenech

Apr 29th 2009, 17:03

@ Moses Mula

I did see it as a bit far fetched, I thought the Swedes were more enlightened than that. I knew someone from Iceland who really lambasted out educational system but also commented that Malta was relatively safe. I think that each country has its own shortcomings and other areas where it shines. Regarding relationships with parents, I never had anything to complain about. I think this is more down to individual basis rather than something that encompasses an entire nation like the educational system. I spent a year living in London when I was three years old; in Malta I would be in the first year of Kindergarten. My father was doing his MSc in Audiology and so he took the whole family with him. We lived in a village where student-doctors from places around the world lived there with their children. There was a nursery school set up for us children and it was an enriching experience, spending a year with children from different cultures. The shock I got when I came to a nun's school in Malta hehe...

Regarding politeness... Well shouldn't that be the spirit of all debates?

Moses Mula

Apr 29th 2009, 08:06

@ Mark-Anthony Fenech:

I have no idea where he got it from. I have a couple of friends who are teachers and when I asked them they just laughed their heads off. I think schools in Sweden are very good at teaching about equality, and they have better ways to go about it than calling boys female names. Thankyou for being polite when asking the question. I really appreciate that.

Mark-Anthony Fenech

Apr 28th 2009, 23:22

@ Moses Mula:

Is it true what Simon James Schembri said earlier on? "In Sweden little boys, once a week, have to go to school wearing girls dresses, and teachers use female names to call them."

I'm just asking you if this is true. Since you live in Sweden I thought of no better person to ask.

Joe Portelli

Apr 28th 2009, 21:30

@Ivan, thank you for your comments and please keep it up. Its high time in Malta, the decent folk become aware of what is ongoing. Decent folk tend to keep themselves to themselves and typically become sheltered from some disturbing realities.

I know many people who have been victims of attack and for some reason, perhaps because they are vistors (as some are Maltese from abroad) they end up getting charged which delays a case and either they stay longer to attend court or leave and let the buggers get away with it. I thinlk Malta is small and the culture is unusual in the fact that the police tend to want to have to share their families land with muggers resulting in looking the other way.
As a foreigner you are right to assume, that one is as safe as the people you know. I notice the brigands tend to use the most expensive lawyers for defence, an indication of their 'status' .

Pity the young ones whos mind is being destroyed by this culture of living.

Ivan Blix

Apr 28th 2009, 17:17

First of all I have to say Im here because of a good job (betting company, what else?)and the nice weather.. Thats it!
In fear of insulting the ones who has a decent behavior, this is not meant for you!
I've been living in Malta for 2 years. On my first year I got violently attacked by a gang of 6 Maltese men at Ta'Qali who stole all my money and a very expencive watch. 3 weeks ago I got attacked by the "white taxi" taxi company because I slightly touched one car in Paceville. The driver came out screaming that i had to pay for the dent i left on the car., and he told me i had to pay NOW! (thinking i was just a tourist so he needed the money before i left obviously..) After refusing I was struck from behind and kicked while lying on the ground. AND THE POLICE CAME AND ARRESTED ME! No matter what i said it didnt get through to them. To wrap this story up... as long as you know the "right" people you might be safe.. MORE TO COME

Abigail Sciberras

Apr 27th 2009, 17:06

i think malta is one of the best places to grow up! i think its the attitude of the youngsters (in certain cases even the parents) which need a good polishing!

Marton Saliba

Apr 27th 2009, 10:44

@ David Scicluna, my bad...
however coming from york, a British country...scource of Chavs...even reduces the credibilith of it's research.

@ Larissa...
I'm a couple of years older than you...have a Hi5 for the sake of having it...14 year old add me up...I havesome mature (though not explicit) content on my page...and I have wtritten that I'll refuse anything under 17 years.

The Valetta children are know for their gang attitudes but so are their parents...think of it as a traditional upbringing That IS a problem of parenting, I'm sure of it.
I frankly blame the media for the way girls are wearing and mantain their (excuse the rough adjective) slutty attitude(I mean, remeber the Bratz? sassy dolls dressed up as french tarts?).

FInally @ Carmel Saliba..
Lack of abortion is an oppression of will...should abortion be allowed to come in, a new gate of opportunities arise (not specifying on which opportunities BUT) I'm sure a plenty amount of women will terminate pregnancies...why? Because they CAN! What's sweeter than that? let's be honest withourselves.

Joe Portelli

Apr 27th 2009, 09:24

I note a young person, Larissa Portelli has expressed her view and its one that we should all note. Afterall this is about young people and here we have an obviously serious comment which shows us what young people are facing today, from street bullying, peer pressure, knive wielding, alcohol etc.

Parents can learn a lot when we can stop and listen to what a child view and experience is at present, and lots stop burying our heads in sand. Children only have one childhood.

Moses Mula

Apr 25th 2009, 21:29

@Geir Nielsen, you made some comments in your entry that are very close to the truth, if not the whole truth. I am Maltese, and yes I love my country, but not to the point were I do not recognize its many faults. As you said about evasion of tax, I knew a lot of people who did so when I used to live in Malta. Charity in Malta is mostly done for the praise and not the cause. Attitude towards immigration is intolerable. I live in Sweden, which has 12.3% immigrants compared to 2.2% in Malta, and attitudes are different, even if Sweden is not catholic. An atheist who lives a moral and ethical life is doing so because he believes it is the proper way to conduct your life , and not because some 2000 year old book, or the church that has enough riches to cut on the world poverty, is telling him so. As I said in another blog, religion is truly an opium for the mind, and it teaches you that you are a chosen one, and a better person than others who have a different believe than yours.

A.M. Gauci

Apr 25th 2009, 15:53

"12-16, year old girls wandering the streets in party mode, late at night, inebriated and dressed provocatively, where ARE their parents? It's not cute to see a 13 year old dressed in that way."

Well, I think that these kids want to act like adults, but I don't think that it's a right thing to do of course. I think that when these kids grow up, they will regret that they didn't enjoy there childhood/teenage years.

Geir Nilsen

Apr 25th 2009, 15:32

It's very provoking having to listen to people like Marton Saliba suggesting that atheists are worse people than religious ones. I hear it all the time! Hypocrites! Fact is that here in Malta it is NORMAL to not declare all tax (which is stealing)! Many even have two jobs where they don't declare a cent from job #2! Maltese constantly broadcast that they are extremely generous and hospitable, but facts speak for themselves:

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_aid_as_of_gdp-economy-aid-as-of-gdp

Malta receive more aid than even Nigeria and India, while pagan Norway give the most in the whole world:

http://www.vexen.co.uk/countries/charity.html

Yes, immoral Norwegians destined for Hell give the most, despite not being promised a ticket to Heaven in return. And to me it seems that all the 'charity money' in Malta is spent on fireworks by the church. Millions are spent each year on scaring pets to death.

I haven't lived on this island for long, but know already of several people cheating on their wives/husbands. You also like to believe that you are hard-working. Me too. I want to believe. Prisoners are beaten up, there are violent bus-drivers and you have road rage often resulting in violence. But I guess that is just latino-charm.

A Abela

Apr 25th 2009, 13:49

How stupid it is to place scientific studies into question without reading the full study, and analysing the research method. If the research method was not appropriate, then there is a cause of concern. But I cannot understand how people are making blunt comments without reading the whole document. Since I have not read it, I will not comment on it (full stop).

Stephen Farrugia

Apr 25th 2009, 11:28

This can be easily resolved with an iron fist, but then again...children have more rights now, that they cannot be educated in any matter by their parents cuz everything is considered abuse...

then u find them in parties, takin pills and stuff...and then u blame the parents.

Now is that fair? No.

Ms P Graham

Apr 25th 2009, 07:23

Larissa Portelli wrote
"I have to admit today's children are worrying me".

You are absolutely right in everything you say and I hope that your post will be read by many.
Every week my daughter comes home with invitations to parties being held in adult venues and I just cannot accept that this is right.
12-16, year old girls wandering the streets in party mode, late at night, inebriated and dressed provocatively, where ARE their parents? It's not cute to see a 13 year old dressed in that way. It's not funny and then of course, you have peer pressure to confirm to.
I monitor Internet use in this house and I am horrified at some of the Facebook/Myspace content I read. Distraught 13 year olds breaking up with a 17/18 year old boyfriends, youngsters clad in nothing but underwear posing in the most unacceptable adult manner, and don't even start me on the language!!
Why? What has gone wrong?
For anyone who thinks Larissa's post or mine for that matter is not the norm, take a walk through St Julian's or Paceville at 11pm tonight and have your eyes opened.

David Scicluna

Apr 24th 2009, 22:49

@Marton Saliba

The study was conducted by York University in England and not New York University in America!! Strange how people try to belittle anyone who does not agree with their dreams! This was a scientific study wether you like it or not. But I forgot that with the pn in government Malta became an Utopia!

Marton Saliba

Apr 24th 2009, 20:38

And how can a New York University convince ME that Malta is the worst...it's B.S.. We're one of the most holistic homely family upbringng communities. They better take it back! ...whoever they are that is. For instance,did they put in consideration that maltese children are the least prone to silly accidents? Apperently not because they'll be in the top five and we in the top thirty at max! Nothing from america should be believed.

James Graham

Apr 24th 2009, 13:46

Mr Nilsen

I do not intend to present any arguments to you, since you are not a moderator of this thread and you see quite aggressive in the way you challenge people.

If you wish to understand why the English language is written the way it is and why Norwegian is written the way it is, I suggest you go and do some research on the way the two nations deal with ambiguity, which is rather different.

The Journal of Cross Cultural Psychology would be a good starting point.

To reiterate, I don't agree with the survey and at a practical level believe that Malta is safer than many other European countries I travel to and through.

Malta is not perfect, but that is a matter for the Maltese people to comment on, my family and I are pleased to be welcome here.

Geir Nilsen

Apr 23rd 2009, 23:33

@ James Graham:

You misunderstood. I didn't criticize your English, but your arguments - or rather the lack of them. And I am fully aware of the English subtleties, and that is exactly why I partly poked fun at you and wrote the way I did. Having worked as a translator in the past (English -> Norwegian only), I know far too well how imprecise the English language can be - like your text. Translating English legal documents is a true nightmare as the sentences can mean anything (which basically is the intention), and a Norwegian translation for it doesn't exist. By the way, did you know that Norwegian is the language in the world that officially is the easiest to learn for a native English speaker? Easier than Dutch, Danish and Swedish even?

"Please, no lectures on how to construct the English language or to express myself, for it is my native tongue and clearly not yours."

Well, when I announce that I am Norwegian and only lived in the UK for five years, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to find out. Stating the obvious anyone?

Looking forward to your arguments, because you haven't presented any yet!

Larissa Portelli

Apr 23rd 2009, 20:36

I have to admit today's children are worrying me. At the age of 12 13 they're already going to Paceville, getting drunk and doing who knows what. A lot of them have bad manners and swear grieviously... I'm just 18 but at my age I never ever imagined going out at Paceville at that tender age. I was 16. The mass media is influencing these children and the parents are being more liberal. One of you down here talked about children in Valletta. It's true, in Karnival a small boy provoked my brother whom is 14 with a pocket knife and when my brother tried to defend himself a gang of bigger boys from Valletta appeared in front of my brother. These children go in search for fights on purpose.
What is the problem with these children? Why can't they just be normal kids and just play or whatever? Another aspect I wanted to discuss is, young girls are making up hi5 or facebook and upload provoking pictures of themselves, and they finish up being molested or abused. Where are the parents when they use the internet??
Someone REPLY pls

Alfred Cassar

Apr 23rd 2009, 20:27

I definately dont agree with this survey, i think it's rubbish, after all the great majority of surveys are rubbish.
However I think that what makes kids happy is the way they live within their family. My teenage kids now tell me that they had a very beautiful and happy childhood. I must say to all parents, whether Maltese, Dutch, British and so on, that it is mostly them that make their kids' life enjoyable, happy and entertaining. I know that the great majority of Maltese parents and families do their very best to make their kids' life happy.
A number of Maltese people in here who agree with this survey must take a look at themselves and see how they are treating their kids, perhaps that's the reason for their kids' not being so happy, healthy and away from crime

Moses Mula

Apr 23rd 2009, 19:48

@Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi, mine is not a Malta bashing campaign but opinions that reflect my experiences and the Maltese society. Let me make a list of the issues I have with Malta
1) A heavy anti-immigrant campaign that is accompanied by rascist sentiments day in day out
2) Goverments that base thier politics on their religion beliefs and thus making it hard to believe that The state is seperate from the church. Gay people are still shunned by society, abortion is not considered a womens right, and divorce is not available despite all the seperations that grow each year.
3) Extreem patriotism that is becoming more evident, were no scientific research which places Malta at the bottom of a list is accepted, keeping us from improving our country.
4) Finally a personal issue, were I cannot move to Malta because my daughter, being autistic, she will never be able to get the same help she gets in Sweden. All she will get is charity, when all she needs is a professional network.
Yes, there are many things that I love about Malta, it will always be my true home, but my opinions will not be biased by this fact.

Carmel Saliba

Apr 23rd 2009, 19:27

This study done by these researchers is 100 per cent bad where Malta is concerned.

In fact Malta is one of the best country for children to grow up in.

Let me refer to the health, which included indicators on infant mortality and birth weight, where Malta was placed in the 28th position. In Malta children are monitored since conception and mortality rate is very low.

The number of births in Malta where the father was marked at 'unknown' rose to 359 last year. Most of these 359 babies if they were in the countries under study may have been killed by legalized abortion.

When a pregnant women is found to have an unhealthy baby in countries where abortion is legal, advice to terminate pregnancy can be given. In Malta this couldn't be done and I agree.

If Malta is placed 28th for this reason I can believe it and even hope that we will place last.

On the other issues we Maltese are aware of our situation. Local entities should formally protest on this research.

John Lauri

Apr 23rd 2009, 18:41

@ Geir Nilsen.

As a Maltese expat living in Scandinavia for many years, I have to totally and wholeheartedly agree with you. The standard of living and quality of life for children in Scandinavia is far, far superior than in Malta. The Nordic region is certainly much safer, when one reads and compares percentages of the growing crime rates per capita on the island, including the violent incidents every weekend in Paceville effecting teenagers !

The problem with the Maltese is that they can NEVER admit that the Utopia called Malta, has some very serious issues to deal with and as soon as these issues are pointed out to the Maltese, rather than deal with them affirmatively and collectively, all go on the defence on how wonderful everything is in Malta. This report is yet another wake-up call to Malta to really look at the issues in hand and deal with them, rather than sweep them under the carpet, that the Maltese are experts at doing !

P.S. I am Maltese, I lived in Malta for 18 years, and only after I left my country did I start to see the many issues Malta has....

James Graham

Apr 23rd 2009, 18:33

Dear Mr Nilsen

Please, no lectures on how to construct the English language or to express myself, for it is my native tongue and clearly not yours.

Geir Nilsen

Apr 23rd 2009, 18:17

James Graham: I am happy that you like it here in Malta. But I wonder how you can not agree with the survey? One doesn't 'agree' that your name is James and ones doesn't 'agree' that the name if this island is Malta. It just is. The 43 separate indicators in the survey are mainly about numbers, but also about how the youngsters feel. It is irrelevant what you think what they should feel. What matters is their perception.

I am also well-travelled, heck I have even lived in the UK for five years! I also agree Malta is a good place to be, but all countries in the survey are European - hence the worst countries are still good. But that Malta "certainly is much safer than many other countries in Europe from a practical perspective" is something you have to explain. What do you mean by a practical perspective? Is this just a newly invented expression - made to make you feel good about the decision to leave England? I am just curious, because your argument would be a valuable addition to the discussion.

James Graham

Apr 23rd 2009, 17:21

My family have been permanent residents (we ave two children) for several years and I do not agree with the survey.

I am well travelled and whilst Malta is not the perfect country (none is), relatively it is a very good place to live and certainly much safer than many other countries in Europe from a practical perspective.

We have never regretted moving from the UK and we appreciate the Maltese warmth in making us welcome in your country, which is 'home' now, not just a place to live.

Geir Nilsen

Apr 23rd 2009, 17:03

Steven: Norway is still a safe country - except from 3-4 streets in Oslo that is best avoided at night. It is still only Greece in Europe which has fewer homicides. Over the last three years ALL 41 assaulted rapes in Oslo were committed by immigrants. 100% - no less: http://www.demokraten.no/lokalnytt/article4264620.ece

Use Google Translate if you want to understand the article and don't believe me.

The only criminal gangs operating in Norway are Pakistani, Russian and Albanian. But still it is safer in Norway compared to Malta who has it coming. To put it this way, I wouldn't walk alone in Marsa around midnight. And 20 years from now? I'd rather not think about it, but it would be irresponsible with regards to our future children to just ignore it and pretend that everything will be all right.

Anyway, I also have strong opinions with regards to what is good and what is bad for children, but I use proper arguments and statistics to back it up with. It is okay to be a patriot and love your country, but sometimes it is going a bit too far here.

Steven Brockwell

Apr 23rd 2009, 16:32

oh mr gier thanks for the info our crime will increase due to the immigrants, well that's all we needed to hear i guess the same thing happened in you country. i feel sorry for you. so why don't the EU make a stand and bane all illegal immigrants what ever color they are . as for ignorant well no i will not stand for that. our children work hard to get were they are. i agree that the system imposes to much on them, however we are small and the EU SO FAR HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. SO I ASK YOU WHY DID WE JOIN ???

Jean Marc

Apr 23rd 2009, 16:18

Everyone has their own opinion about life, the environment, and everything that goes around in the world with people putting in their penny's worth as their OWN opinions. Now a survey states that Malta is the worst for children growing up. That is York's opinion. I lived in Malta, my children grew up to their teens in Malta. I gave them a wonderful life as best as I could whilst in Malta. It is a wonderful place. Education starts from home. Whatever anyone says you have your own ideas about your children and how best to bring them up. I am not saying that everything grows up smelling of roses, but I am sure that all parents (or nearly all parents) try their very best for their children. The government has to take part in our childrens' progress. So do the teachers, doctors, etc etc. So for all that is said and done, only the parents of their own children can say whether their siblings are happy or not. As a parent myself, I know I have done and still do right with my children not matter what surveys and statistics come up with.

Geir Nilsen

Apr 23rd 2009, 16:16

You Maltese are embarrassing yourselves - again. You are ignoring all official figures and selectively choosing which parameter to base everything on. Most of you choose safety, a parameter which funnily enough is even below par: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_murder_rate

There are twice as many murders in Malta (1.75) as in Norway (0.78). The Netherlands (0.98) is also very low, and the UK (2.03) is just slightly worse off than Malta. Remove the stats from London, and the UK is actually a lot safer than this Island. What your perception is is completely irrelevant. And now that Malta also are getting its share of African immigrants, the crime will increase an awful lot.

Children here are constantly surrounded by cars driven by incredibly reckless drivers. In Norway I used to play in the forest and even at the beaches unattended, and there was very little traffic. We went to school for shorter hours, but ended up a lot smarter than the Maltese when we graduated. The Finnish for instance are performing best at international universities. In Malta there is a lot of pressure on kids. The parents are showcasing them like trophies and not letting them be kids. How ignorant are you?

Steven Brockwell

Apr 23rd 2009, 15:34

WE ALL ENJOYED OUR SELVES IN OUR OWN TIME BUT TIMES MOVE ON, WE HAVE TO ADAPT TO THE TIME. BUT MY KIDS ARE STILL SAFE. AND I ALWAYS PICK THEM UP AT THE RIGHT TIME.SO WHAT IS WRONG.WITH US.WE DON'T HAVE INTERNET SPEED.OR BOUNCERS IN OUR SCHOOLS ??? COME ON EU GIVE MALTA A BREAK YOU ARE JEALOUS AS TO THE FACTS AND WANT TO HARM US. WHY WE JOINED I DONT KNOW ??? DO YOU

adrian galea

Apr 23rd 2009, 15:06

I would be very careful before starting to agree with this study.

The researchers themselves counselled that they have insufficient data to be sure of this conclusion. They only had data from 4 out of 7 possible domains.

Dont automatically be critical of Malta just because a foreign paper has said so.

I am Maltese myself, lived in the Uk for several years and my instinct tells me that this conclusion about Malta is incorrect.

It is interesting that the Uk itself has not done particularly well in a recent UN report on the upbringing of children.

Gregory Farrugia

Apr 23rd 2009, 14:09

All i can say at this point.
I hope this study reaches the shores from where illegal immigrants are setting off so to find a better place where to raise their children.

S. Camilleri

Apr 23rd 2009, 11:46

Come on!! Maybe Malta is not as safe as it once was. True. Maybe this place sucks in many ways. Also true. But to be in last place in such a study removes all credibility on this report. The people who conducted this so called survey are either incompetent pen pushers who have never traveled beyond the confines of their village, much less their country or else "designed" the parameters of the study to give the results they wanted to hear. If there is anything where Malta rates higher, it is in the area of rating children.!!!!

Lina Caruana

Apr 23rd 2009, 11:39

Which standard of measurement were used?

Alex Ellul

Apr 23rd 2009, 11:27

I have a statistic that i have built up myself, which states that York University is the worst university in the world. This is based on 4 parameters chosen by myself. Of course nobody would believe this statistic. Likewise the statistic coming out of York Uni should be taken with a pinch of salt, at best.

Steven Brockwell

Apr 23rd 2009, 10:33

unfortunately, its stats like these which were not even complete with all the data, that does nothing more then harm our student trade. it was once stated that students generate over 30 million Malta lira a year. however, after parents world wide review these inaccurate stats, this could put them off from sending their children here. unless stats are accurate, with all the necessary data they should not be released.

Joe Xuereb

Apr 23rd 2009, 09:17

It-tfal mal-qalb (kids are close to the heart). I think not. Only in Malta.
Kids here are mere trophies. Judged on their attractiveness. Instinctively, the latest arrival will oust his/her predecessor.
The are handled and kissed and passed around like dolls. This creates dependence. it smothers.
They are taught values and love through violent imagery when they could as well be taught by example. They live in fear. Famously, 'igiblek in-nar' (he will control you by fire). The child rebels. Ambition is encouraged. Whether he wins or loses, he is a loser always. No spirit. Sexual guilt is inculcated early on. A guaranteed deposit of neurosis lasting a lifetime. A life where all is distorted one way or the other.It is a dreadful legacy.
I cannot bear to go on.
The study is fair. Typically, the reaction is 'how dare foreigners judge us' thus missing the point. Again.
Maltese kids are way down the league in the survey. Pity they did not 'survey' the above pointers. The graph would have pierced the planet downwards. In spite of the happy appearance of our kids. We think everything is OK. When it is not. Recognise the failings. And amend.

Moses Mula

Apr 23rd 2009, 09:06

@LGalea, did you miss the part where I mentioned that my daughter has autism? That requires for us parents to keep that extra eye on our child, even when she is out playing in a safe enviroment with other kids. Do not pretend to know the situation here in Sweden if you haven`t even been over here, let alone lived here and riased kids. On the other hand I can judge both how I grew up as a child, and how it is to grow kids here.

Joe Fenech

Apr 23rd 2009, 08:29

J Brownie

To you list I add:

no countryside and play spaces; the massive increase of junk food consumption; children inactivity; poor quality children activities; cosmetic but poor school (with computers!)...

Mario Mizzi

Apr 22nd 2009, 23:20

Child Poverty Action Group ?? Why don't you tackle your abortion problems that NEVER give a chance for children to grow up!! Charity begins at home.

C. Cassar

Apr 22nd 2009, 22:33

This goes to all those who feel offended by the results of the study:

The study may be flawed; however there is one thing that it definitely didn't fall short of - incurring the frustration of those who don't want to admit and face the fact that the Maltese society as a whole is on the brink of chaos! La verita offende....

Start taking action now

Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi

Apr 22nd 2009, 21:56

@ Moses Mula,

Is there anything about Malta or the Maltese that you like?
You seem to be on a one man constant Malta bashing campaign.

D. Clark

Apr 22nd 2009, 21:18

Being a teenager myself, I do not really believe this study. In my opinion, it mainly depends on the crowd of people one chooses to stay with. It does not mean that our country is the worst country for children to grow up in, it's just just that like all the other countries, we obviously have our negative points but all the parents want the best for their children. The majority of the island is safe and it's the responsibility of oneself to ensure that they are acting in a safe manner. The UK are worse off, yet so many students go abroad to study due to the fact that the University here does not offer courses such as Theatre and students are therefore forced to go elsewhere to continue their studies.

A.M Gauci

Apr 22nd 2009, 19:12

Joe Fenech, I can't agree more with your statements about Malta particularly this one:
"Kids have nowhere to go to except Paceville"
From my point of view, Paceville is not a place for kids. OK, I can enter clubs,bars etc. but I chose that I will never go to Paceville because it's not a place which I like. So I end up staying at home, spending hours in front of my computer.
Ok, there might be loads of things which I can do but most of these are connected to the Church and above that, not every area in the island has a kind of Youth Centre. I think new kinds of youth activities should be available for free in all the villages and towns in the Maltese islands if possibile.
Ok it is a bit expensive to provide everything for free, but lets say the family from which the child comes has a financial problem and can't afford to pay for extra things. The child still has the right to enjoy him/herself!

P Debono

Apr 22nd 2009, 18:58

Unfortunately I'd have to agree with this report. Malta is just not safe anymore.

A.M Gauci

Apr 22nd 2009, 18:56

Thanks for your reply Ms. P. Graham. I think that children and teenagers must voice their own opinions but adults must hear them too. I emphasise my point on the Maltese education system: it's too difficult. The education department and who is behind it all, is demanding too much out of us. For example, the English subject studied at A Level. Few people get a Grade A result in their Matsec exam. I think that there are many teenagers like me who feel this way, and some of them might opt to go to work instead of studying at a higher level.

Of course, the education level is high, but most of us students feel bombarded by this education system! School is just being a must (at least till secondary level). Can't school be more fun?

I. Galea

Apr 22nd 2009, 18:46

I grew up in two countries. half in Australia, the other half in Malta.

as an adolescent who's recently experienced "growing up"...I can say that I thank God I spent my teenage years in Malta.

When I have MY children, I'm bringing them up here too. So I don't care what this research is on about. First-hand experience speaks louder.

Gloria Attard

Apr 22nd 2009, 18:33

My daughter attended primary school in Malta (St Catherines in St Andrews) and I was shocked that there were no pictures on the walls. At 4 years of age she sat at a desk and faced the teacher all day long. When we moved to England her eyes grew big when she saw her classroom, it was colourful, filled with different activities with lots of play and outside activities included in the day. She prospered and now attends a good university. At Karen Grech when I was on a ward there, the doctor came and shook my hand when I asked for a basin and my toothbrush and toothpaste, he said generally the women there never cleaned their teeth! I agree that other parts of europe have a fantastic way of life and facilities for their kids, we all have to make the best of what we have. But once again, Maltese people take offence and the jingoism starts. My family's kids in Malta are overweight and the boy's especially are 'mummied' into adulthood not knowing about the world or how to care for themselves. Now's the time to open your eyes and make those changes start with primary schools.

deborah pace

Apr 22nd 2009, 18:22

As an english person who was lucky enough at the time to have met a maltese man hench the surnmae i now where i would prefer to bring children up and thats malta so what i you dont hav emuch money what children have always wanted and needed is love i would have much prefered when i was growing up to have been able to go to the beachs and have bbq and live in malta i feel much safer there then i have EVER felt anywhere, but at the end of the day you dont have to take my word for it just look on the contented faces of most maltese children and there familys. I know that this study has upset people but thats all it is a study as long as you know your kids are safe then ignore it ..
see you all in june

Theresa Visser

Apr 22nd 2009, 18:06

dhr Ruud Rijpma,having been living in the NL I couldn't help to put a few of your remarks straight. The subject was not if Holland is more beautifull with it's tulip fields and how good life and the social benefits are, though if you remember the Food Banks are growing in all Holland because of the poverty , some families don't have enough money to feed their Kids, and what about the health care we pay alot for it, and the dentist and some medicines aren't free. Schools don't even manage to get the level that there is in the rest of the land, bullying is ever so bad and I can tell you cause my kids have been through hell. Holland has also got the highest birth mortality and that has just been said through staistics, regarding the roads they felt like cotton but after this winter they are just as bad as in Malta. You can't just see Malta in one visit as it has the oldest history in the world but if you don't want to go back don't make excuuses. I can assure you that the upbringing in Malta is better.

Christian Scerri

Apr 22nd 2009, 17:52

I have seen the full report and the methodology used. The York people have utlisied official nationnal statisitics but one has to be very careful what to interpret as well as what the newspapers decide to put in as a heading. I believe that this heading is slightly misleading.

From the health point of view our problem is the relatively low rate of Measles immunisation (86%) as compared to the rest , our relatively high infant mortality rate (3.8 per 1000 live births) that is mainly due to the fact that we do not terminate pregnancies and thus 42% of these deaths are related to severe congenital disorders. The other areas that we score low are in the general health of children in relation to teeth brushing, healthy eating and physical activity.

In the subjective well being, I think that we must have scored badly in the heavy schooling part - which is true

So one can ask - are these real indicators of Child Well being? And, Should these have an equal weighting? These two questions are pertinent questions and I believe are the Achilles heel of this study.

K. Pullicino

Apr 22nd 2009, 16:18

Haha, what a ridiculous study. Let's see where Malta ranks for Gullibility.

May I remind everyone here that around 89.6734% of all statistics are made up.

Martin Pule

Apr 22nd 2009, 16:04

There is a recent UNICEF report with a similar theme (link at the end of this comment). While the data on Malta was not very complete, most of the objective data like infant mortality, birtweight, childhood death rates, vaccination rates were very good (obesity was the exception). I am quite surprised that the CPAG report ranks Malta as 28th on health, especially since I suspect the source data would have been the same. Perhaps the editor would like them to comment on this discrepancy?
http://www.unicef.org/media/files/ChildPovertyReport.pdf

John Cieri

Apr 22nd 2009, 15:54

Poor Malta, always left at the end... and their is a reason for that. Maybe the government should start concentrating and investing more on the welfare of the children as oppose to playing dumb politics.

Mark-Anthony Fenech

Apr 22nd 2009, 15:35

We do have our own shortcomings but to say that Malta is the worst country for children to grow up in is nigh on being heretical... I mean let's be realistic... T Mifsud's comment proves that their are countries who are in graver situations in relation to the statement made...

I'm proud of my country and although I often complain and grumble, one thing I have to say is that it is relatively safe although the future doesn't look so bright...

Rebecca Falzon

Apr 22nd 2009, 15:16

I highly disagree with this survey. I'm not someone whose extremely patriotic or in any way choose to idealise Malta, but for goodness sake, I consider Malta to be one of the few "safer" countries.
Many foreigners come to Malta, choose to stay out later and can walk on their own, whereas in their own country it is dangerous to go out after 9.

As i spoke to a friend of mine who was brought up in England, I could see that we live in a less dangerous area than she does. They are all educated in self defence and some choose to carry sprays etc in case of emergencies!

Speeding cars are found everywhere; and few are those who would let their children play in the streets anywhere; we are not living in the 1960s.. Malta has developed in an urban way, and modifications have to be done in order to ensure that children are safe!

In the end, it's all to do with the upbringing of children, and the environment their parents create for them!

matthew micallef

Apr 22nd 2009, 14:32

I don't believe this study... Malta is one of the safest places where children can go out alone, If you compare the number of missing children that are reported in Malta and abroad ... you can see the difference...also the number teenagers and children that have designer clothes, mobiles...high end computer ... go out every weekend.....is an answer that here children have a good standard of living

f vincenti

Apr 22nd 2009, 14:21

Malta the worst country for kids? Please! Get your facts right York University. I think you got the lovely Island of Malta confused with one of several unsafe and sadly, poorer towns in the USA called by the same name....

Mario Muscat

Apr 22nd 2009, 14:04

@Heer.Ruud Rijpma

And what makes you think you know so much about our country and we don't? I visited The Netherlands with my family last year and NO it is not as safe as you think. We would not let go of our kids' hands not for a single second. And yes your tulips look nice but not for long as they soon dry out. Our kids have 6-7 months of beautiful weather and most of them spend almost 3 months summer holidays running around our beaches, swimming and enjoyiing themselves. While in the Netherlands we always wondered where your kids were as we hardly saw any. Like you I will never visit your country ever again as there is not much more than flowers, windmills and marijuana.

celine abela

Apr 22nd 2009, 13:29

i have just read the report but it's not conclusive. it's obvious that we have to work hard for our youngsters to have a better life, it's our job to coach them be independent, to be happy and to learn how to make good decisions.
of course we have problems of our own but one can never compare those problems to the same problems elsewhere, the people are different, the cultures are different.
i was born and bred in malta and i'm proud of who i am and my heritage. now i live in one of the most clinical countries in the world...switzerland.children are well behaved, they're slim, they're well disciplined...they're cold! one of the things that people here remark about is that we bring sunshine wherever we go.we are raised to have good families, to respect elders, to live life like there's no tomorrow. we live a full life and we enjoy living it even though we complain a lot, but complaining is in our nature and that is kind of cultural. here? everything's on agenda and that's sad!
3 cheers to our parents who raised us to live a beautiful life

S Zammit

Apr 22nd 2009, 12:55

I think that they did not include the safety for kids in Gozo!

Alexandra Borg

Apr 22nd 2009, 12:45

It does not make sense....there are things that are not so good for our children here, like the excessive traffic in our streets, not a lot of choice for them to do interesting things like parks or theme parks. However, I would definetely not say Malta its not safe. I spend a lot of time in Belgium and there children are not trusted to go anywhere on their own. In Malta it's safe to let them play in a park while you have a coffee and read the paper. Our summers are long and the sea is available for them. The extended families, are a constant support for those lucky enough to have them, back in Belgium you have to leave your almost new born child with a person you don't know for most of the day

G. Fenech

Apr 22nd 2009, 12:03

Why does everyone seem surprised at this result?

There are limited parks to play in, there is barely any greenery left anywhere. It is not safe like it used to be 10 years ago. Kids are bored and so they revert to drugs and alcohol from a young age. There is no freedom of speech for kids as the second they try speak their mind, they'll get hushed by their peers, who want them to fit into the standard mould.

Seriously, look around you, Malta has nothing to offer its youngsters. Limited choice of education, limited space & freedom. Limited mentality of the church & govt impose even more pressure on kids. Dont even want to mention the ratrace that they have to deal with in school, with enough red-tape to cover all the potholes in the country!

It was good once, its not anymore.

Graham Crocker

Apr 22nd 2009, 11:30

Netherlands is a great country to live in, but I can hardly see it as the best place to bring up a child. I would have thought that Norway would have been the best country for children to grow up in.

Netherlands is surely better than Malta, but I would have thought Malta would have surpassed England. Anyways while I was at a bookshop, I found a book called Lies and Statistics ..indeed lies.

Paul Savona

Apr 22nd 2009, 10:51

They are obviously not comparing apples with apples.

I find the ranking hard to believe and would be more interested in the actual scoring per age group. The ranking tells us nothing. For all we know every country is in the top 90%.

Malta can only be compared to a European city not a country. Therefore we should be compared to the likes of Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Rome etc. If this was the case, I am sure that we would have ranked much higher.

I made the decision to come back to Malta for my childrens sake after living abroad and I do not regret it at all. The only thing I miss for my children is green parks and vast space to run around in. But we have the sea.

In Malta our children are less exposed to crime, murder, rape and drugs than in most European capitals. For that I am greatful. I know we have our problems but after living in several countries I still believe we have the better deal. Our small size, neighbourly values and sense of community is actually our watchdog.

J Brincat

Apr 22nd 2009, 10:20

Please note a few reasons why i suspect this reprot can be accurate - high drug use, lax drinking laws (you do see very young kids walking around gettign served at bars and walking the streets), poor facilities, poor opportunities amongst others. It is pointless comparing your own families and saying "well i had a good childhood". Most people have fond memories of their childhood and they are not necessarily talking about "your" family so it is pointless using that to justify an argument. There are some very ignorant comments coming out regarding the UK as well. Just in case anyone missed it this is a university making an independent report and have not put England at the top of the list so get over it.

LGalea

Apr 22nd 2009, 09:37

Moses Mula
If your child is safe in Sweden why do you feel you have to check through your window?

Ms P Graham

Apr 22nd 2009, 09:32

Why have none of the adults who have commented here taken the time to reply to:
***
A.M Gauci
AS A TEENEAGER, I really find it hard to keep on with the education system in Malta. I decided to continue studying because I thought that I made the right choice, but it wasn't after all. There are also teenagers in Malta who are so violent to other teenagers, and this can be seen in the capital city - Valletta in particular. And I also agree with kevin borg, who posted before. Unfortunately, most of the Maltese children and teenagers don't know how to behave themselves, even with other teenagers. Instead of trying to understand ones' situation, all they do is make it worse.
***

Most may feel Malta is a "safe" place but the lack of listening to our teenagers will be Malta's downfall. Waken up and listen to the children. Your paradise is being threatened because you just don't hear.

Ask the children if they feel safe out there.

Do we as adults feel as safe as we did 5 years ago?

J Brownie

Apr 22nd 2009, 09:12

This report must be a far cry from the truth , yet for one thing I beleive that Maltese Children are indeed worst off than any of their peers ; and that is their exposure to pollution through car emissions on our heavily congested streets.

C.R. Taliana

Apr 22nd 2009, 09:04

Kulhadd jara l-farka f'ghajn haddiehor! Nixtieq nara l-istudju li sar fid-dettal, il mistoqsijiet etc...

Chris Vidal

Apr 22nd 2009, 08:57

I partly agree and partly disagree with this study. I do not think Malta is the worst country in terms of safety for children, as in fact Malta is one of the safest countries in the world although places like Greece are safer (there are less crimes relative to population). but as such this survey is not tackling safety, but it has to do more with social aspect and in this respect yes i agree with it. Malta's educational system is lacking and if education is lacking then all the consequences come along with it. Even starting from very simple things that in secondary schools most children are separated by sex from each other, at an age which is crusial for the human being to start interacting and building healthy relationships. on the other hand then there is an over protection of children by parents...unfortunately Maltese children are spoiled in this respect...and this does not result in a mature and healthy human being. On the other hand you have parents that to teach their children they have to shout at what ever they do wrong and not showing and explaining what is wrong or good...again lack of education.

M Buttigieg

Apr 22nd 2009, 08:28

UK survey
In a sample of 1,600 under-10s, the TV personality was the top answer to the question: "Who is the most famous person in all the world?"
God and the Queen ran a close second and third.
The youngsters put 'good looks' at the top of the "very best things in the world" list while the most common answer to the "very worst things in the world" was 'being fat'.

This was followed closely by 'divorce'.

And when asked what rules they would make if they were king or queen of the world, the number one response was 'to ban divorce'. In addition, those surveyed said 'bullying' would also be banned - up from number three last year and number five the year before.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Simon-Cowell-More-Famous-Than-God-Or-The-Queen-Survey-Of-British-Kids-Under-10/Article/200812315180581?lpos=UK_News_Article_Related_Content_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15180581_Simon_Cowell_More_Famous_Than_God_Or_The_Queen%3A_Survey_Of_British_Kids_Under_10

A Galea

Apr 22nd 2009, 06:51

Half of my childhood, I spent growing up in Australia and the other half here in Malta. I can tell you that Education in Malta is about a full year ahead and so is the health system (regardless of the impression people have of the health system here). I've also been around Europe and it's the same there. There are more social acitvities for children in Malta and tradition and religion are a constant factor in the lives of most children. I totally disagree with this study!

Emil Jonson

Apr 22nd 2009, 06:30

1. Malta´s Stat. table is missing 3 out of 7 (!) data inputs... which means that the Malta´s score is impossible to compare with for ex. Sweden where all 7 data inputs have been collected.

2. As a swede living and enjoying Malta with my young family I can honestly say that Malta is as perfect as its gets in this world from september to june, the summers we prefer in sweden.

3. If the collected data inputs (3 out of 7) which are now 3-4 years old, was collected from more than one school, public and private, I am sure that the results would have been different.

4. My kids are really happy both in life and in school, so are their friends and pupils. By daily communicating and listening to my kids makes its easy for me to see that they are really happy on Malta!

4. Continuos improvement both in school and spare time activities from the governments side would help future Statistics :-)

5. This Survey was a spot picture on the situation back 3-4 years ago, this was not a trend!

Viva Malta in EU

J Martinelli

Apr 22nd 2009, 00:49

@ Steven Brockwell

Free speech is nice but it has its limitations otherwise I would make a suggestion to York University telling them what to do with their report which the Moderator will not publish.

Joe Fenech

Apr 22nd 2009, 00:02

Whoever thinks the Holland is all about taking hash, he's very wrong! Like Scandinavia and other top European countries, it's brilliant!

Who thinks that ALL UK schools need bouncers, he's on another planet! Most UK school offer excellent teaching in many subjects including drama, music and very good pastoral system. No Maltese school compares with them. On top, they improve every day!

France and Germany are brilliant place for kids with loads of excellent schools, art academies, countryside, all sorts of high quality activities, high standard of living....

Malta..well, let's not think we're that great as we always like to think we are! Our kids are fat, inactive, energy less. School have computers but don't teach any thinking or life skills and on top stale and boring. Kids have nowhere to go to except Paceville: no countryside, poor cultural activities.. . All Maltese kids do is winge, shout and go and sing on silly TV programmes. That's very poor...

S. Lanzon

Apr 21st 2009, 23:55

cont...

Our medical treatment is free too!
Our children don;t have to be rich to enjoy themselves! most are happy just buying a simple ice cream at the beach! or an outing with friends
i'm not running your country down! but I must say to everyone one can't decide which country is the best to grow up in unless they've grown up there!! Visiting doesn't make you a local, u might enjoy different things!

After all, when travelling abroad, fellow maltese do u feel less priviliged just because you happened to grow up in Malta?? I sure don't!

S. Lanzon

Apr 21st 2009, 23:55

@Heer.Ruud Rijpma and others

I am from malta. I've grown up here. I'm 18!
I love my country! I've always complained about everything.. but I'm maltese and I'm proud!

Maltese love their country and they love life too! We're very family based! and most families are very tight knit! Our salaries may not be very high! but we know how to enjoy life and don;t base our happiness on our earnings! We know how to enjoy the little things with family, not that we don't enjoy our luxuries too, such as travelling!
Our education is of a very high standard compared to that of other european countries!
relatively speaking we are a highly intelligent and hard working and an adaptable society!
We have values and gun crimes and suicide aren't a daily occurence!! I'm not terrified of talking to the person on sitting next to me on the bus here either!

LGalea

Apr 21st 2009, 23:25

Moses Mula
If your child is safe in Sweden why do you feel you have to check through your window?

Emma Cordina

Apr 21st 2009, 23:18

Oh No! these People from York University must have confused Malta with Uk. We do not have children who run about with knives or guns in schools. Ouir children still enjoy the freedom of playing in open spaces or going on errands without the fear of being abducted.But above all they are very cared for,and parents drive them along to sports centres, music/art /ballet/dancing lessons. During their school holidays they are given treats at fun parks, trips abroad or week -end breaks at hotels. The York people should have taken a closer look at the brands of their clothes and shoes. They should also have taken a peep at our children's bedrooms. They would have been surely impressed by the way they are furnished.

Michael Andrews

Apr 21st 2009, 23:17

I have lived here for 13 years and now have 2 kids of 7 and 10 and although i, just like alot of Maltese, moan about certain things which can be improved i cannot thinkof a better place to bring up my kids.
Where else can u let them play outside and not have to worry about if someone is going to grab them off the streets?
Most have a loving family atmosphere at home and there is no pressure for them to leave home as if they are not wanted, which i have alot of in England.
If Malta has nothing to be proud of then i can tell you they can be proud of the fact is still one of the very few places on this planet where kids are very safe and i applaud you or that.

S. Maniscalco

Apr 21st 2009, 23:12

Did they place the chart upside down by any chance??

John Lauri

Apr 21st 2009, 22:47

The only 2 people with a sense of objectivity in this forum are Moses Mula & Anne Marie - Congrats ! The rest, sadly seem to have taken everything revealed in the report as a personal attack to them. if one reads the report, one can see that even the UK faired very poorly in the report.

As a Maltese citizen living in Sweden, I can personally vouch that Sweden has a much higher standard of living for children, in terms of academic education, healthcare, sport, recreation, civil rights, sex education and personal safety than Malta could provide for at least the next 20 years !

When will the Maltese be mature enough to take the report exactly for what it is, as a eye-opening report and start dealing with the issues highlighted in it and work on improving the points mentioned in it ? Instead of defending Maltese-ism, take this as a wake-up call for affirmative action and maybe in a few years, malta's ranking will be much higher.... oh I forgot to mention, recently another EU report listed maltese children as the most obese in the whole of the EU..... and how true that is !!!

Peter Bonnici

Apr 21st 2009, 21:55

@ John Borg. No offence taken. But you're right about some comments. They can be embarrassing.

Mary Vassallo

Apr 21st 2009, 21:19

Thats not all, what they are doing apparently in some schools in Manchester Mr.Mifsud, i heared whether its true or not i don't know but i heared that in some secondary modern where the hard cases are, they have erected metal bariers like in most D.H.S.S (dept.of.health&social security)as some tend to get visious and nasty, to seperate the teacher from the hard cases who at times tend to get very nasty if they don't get their way.

Maria Pedersen

Apr 21st 2009, 21:18

Is this a delayed 1 april joke? I thank God that i was born and raised in my beloved country (Malta). Although we emigrated from Malta many years ago, i still think that Malta is the best place to build a family and God knows how i wish that my children were born and raised there. So be proud all of you Maltese people and do not listen to such rubbish. Lill din l-art helwa. Viva Malta. Inhobbok ghall dejjem.

E. Inglott

Apr 21st 2009, 21:15

A lot of comments focus on how bad the UK is doing (based on own experience, or reports in media) but the fact that a UK university carried out the study doesn't mean that they place very well. In fact, overall (of the 7 fields), UK ranks 24 out of 29.

According to the report, Malta is scoring well on the safety aspects, but when it comes to health (includes healthy habits like eating fruit, regular exercise, brushing teeth, etc), subjective wellbeing (whether they like school, feel pressured by school work, how children themselves rate their happiness) and children's relationships (how easily they feel they can speak with their parents), Malta ranks quite poorly.

I also think though, that the fact that there were no results available on three of the seven fields is partly responsible for the low ranking.

Helen Leigh

Apr 21st 2009, 21:03

I have never heard such a ridiculous statement! Having visited Malta for the past 20 years and now having a 15 year old son - the only time we truly relax is when we are on holiday in Malta and he is off enjoying himself with our Maltese friends children, we know he will come back safe and sound without worry of him being mugged or even worse stabbed! Malta is a wonderful country with the most hospitable people I have ever met

Alexander Morana

Apr 21st 2009, 21:01

Good God is why we joined the EU so every wrinkle; scratch and scar are revealed for all to see. Didn't we know all along for many years we were not far off from the characterization of Charles Dickens’s Pickwick Papers!
Not excluding all the social welfare and government spending for the last 40 years?
No wonder we have 336 children born out of wedlock?

T Mifsud

Apr 21st 2009, 20:09

Has anyone not seen the news item that in the UK they are going to employ BOUNCERS IN SCHOOLS? By the way the bouncers are not to protect the teachers from angry parents but to protect students and teachers from VIOLENT STUDENTS who carry knives.

I mean to employ bouncers against students themselves the situation in the UK must have precipitated to rock bottom. Although we do have naughty children, certainly Malta is miles ahead of many countries in terms of safety for children!

Steven Brockwell

Apr 21st 2009, 20:05

after reading all of these comments it sounds like everyone is proud of their country and they should be. however when it comes to stats should we believe what is said. i guess we all have our own versions which after all, that's what makes us human. and democratic free speech. good night everyone x

John Borg

Apr 21st 2009, 20:05

Peter Bonnici: sorry, my comments were not intended to offend you but some of these comments are just outrageous.

Moses Mula

Apr 21st 2009, 19:51

We Maltese are so fricking proud of ourselves that no survey in the world will make us believe we have problems. Well, if their was a list that showed we have one of the highest immigrants per capita, we woul believe that. If one does not admit and face his problems, he will never find solutions, and will keep ending up last in such lists. This is a British University, and England did not fair well, so it is obviously not biased. And yes, I can say first hand that Sweden is a safe country for kids. An example is that my child who is 10 years and autistic, can play safely in the playing field outside my flat, were I can check through the window. When I was young in Malta even playing fields there we used to play, were always surrounded by speeding cars. And the bullying in schools? It was horrible.

Heer.Ruud Rijpma

Apr 21st 2009, 19:44

We are from the Netherlands, we love our country, we also love life,we have a good standard of living and working condition our salaries are ample enough for everyone in Holland to live confortable and invest in nice homes. Our education system is first class so is our health care' ok we pay so much insurance from of our monthly salary but then again everything else be it a doctor's visit, medication, dentists and hospital treatment is FREE. Our road compared wit the Maltese roads (say no more) is like driving on cotton. Yes our children are one of the richest in europe and one can see all this by just visiting my country especially in spring when all the different type and colour tulips are out, flowers from Holland where else. On the other hand Malta and Gozo are a nice country yes and also i like the history but for us once is enough and wouldn't make a second trip, because Malta is a country were you either like it alot and return or you see it once and thats it, visit another place.Please do not run my country down unless you see it for yourselves. Dank U.

A.Bezzina

Apr 21st 2009, 19:37

Our children dont knife and try to kill each other at the age of ten every day of the week. Try letting your teenage daughter come home alone at the weekend and see what happens to her. I know because I have relatives living all over England and the stories they tell are shocking to say the least.

Peter Bonnici

Apr 21st 2009, 19:19

@ John Borg.
Quite right, but you didn't need to take my tongue-in-cheek comment so seriously.

J. Schembri

Apr 21st 2009, 18:56

http://www.cpag.org.uk/info/ChildWellbeingandChildPoverty.pdf
"The country was not ranked in material resources, education and housing and environment."
Maltese children would have a good ranking in these areas.
No info was considered 28th place!

Stephen Mifsud

Apr 21st 2009, 18:46

i am Maltese born in Mtarfa military hospital and i was there till was 13 years old then moved to Canada ....it was the best 13 years of my life and i will cherish them till the end as i have nothing but great memories when i was a young lad growing up on the islands...nothing compares what Malta has ....the Maltese dont know what they have until they lose it ...and we are losing it to drugs and Computer games ..shame shame ...i hope all Maltese parents still carry ther parents way of life ...the "simple life " of family and freinds and just plain fun ...Malta is good as long as we keep our strong faith in family and God .

john fenech

Apr 21st 2009, 18:41

Dear M’s Xerri, I did not mean to offend or belittle anyone one country in particular or implying that we, Maltese, do not belong to this forsaken; modern, arrogant know it all civilization. What I find insulting is that some smart ass will call the pot black when the kettle is covered in one meter of soot!!
Sure we have problems some are in the open others are being shielded either through ignorance or to salvage our collective conscience. Good job Malta does not have to be complaint to any EU moral directives, but then who does?

Rodnick Vassallo

Apr 21st 2009, 18:27

You have to be objective here - it is obvious that most Maltese people are not going to say that Malta is not good for bringing up kids!

Everyone here is basing his thoughts and ideas on facts you see in the news - when you think of the Netherlands the first thing that comes to mind is Amsterdam with all its legalisations! But the Netherlands is not all that and I have lived there for a while so I can tell. You have to ask Dutch people if they agree with their country being the best to grow up in (which im they I'm sure they will agree).

I grew up in Malta and I wouldn't trade it for anywhere else - but that doesn't mean that Malta is the ideal place for children to grow up in. Although I live in London now and I wouldn't think London is a good place for children to grow up, the UK is not made up just of London.

So there are a lot of factors to consider.

victor vella

Apr 21st 2009, 18:21

I am born and bred in Malta, I am a Maltese citizen and proud of both being a Maltese citizen and also for haveing been bred with Christian morals.I would be happy to see who signed the survey and who was behind it in Malta.

Joanna Xerri

Apr 21st 2009, 18:13

JohnFenech i wouldn't talke my family to England even if you pay me, let alone live there. No but no thanks, this is why if you ask any English people or British for that matter why they prefer Mattese culture and the way we live as compare with the huge amount of domestic and street violence in that COLD*DUMP*MISERABLE COUNTRY. Jak. VIVA MALTA ANYTIME.

malcolm tortell

Apr 21st 2009, 18:12

@ S Brockwell:

Actually yes working with abused children and drug addicts is my current line of work. I looked through the posts but could not find your comments on this matter to be honest.

malcolm tortell

Apr 21st 2009, 18:01

@ Stephen Brockwell: thats your life story not a case. There is a difference. Here's some facts for you to chew on... there is a new case of child abuse reported every day in this country... or about 350 per year to be exact... that's quite a bit for a little island don't you think? We have one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in europel, unlike the netherlands and scandinavia which have the lowest. We're also near the top for binge drinking and smoking.... and obesity so it's not like we look after kids health much is it? Oh and 60% of children born to single mothers fall beneath the poverty line. That's my case and where I live has nothing to do with it

GiovDeMartino

Apr 21st 2009, 17:59

Watch our children on their way to school and judge for yourself. They are healthy, tidy and very well looked after by their parents. Our chn and our families are the envy of all foreigners.

Sam Barbara

Apr 21st 2009, 17:55

Malta "the worst place to grow up in"? Give me a break. If that is true then why do we never hear of youngsters commiting crime. You do not hear of youth gangs in Malta like in the UK. Of course children complain, didn't we all when we were young. I still have family in Malta and their kids are doing quite well.

M Grech

Apr 21st 2009, 17:46

This is crap! I have 2 kids, and will not choose any other country for them. Where did York get this study from? Why dont York checkout Sky news, CNN, BBC, etc . Then statistics from police reports and talk to the children themselves. I was in England with my daughter in January and it nearly drove me crazy, as you cannot let them walk behind you for a minute let alone out of your sight for a couple of hours. Hope someone who has real statistics replies to this.

John Fenech

Apr 21st 2009, 17:40

Try this for comfort:
Published: 26/02/2009
Report published today by Intuitive Media, provider of safe online learning communities for children, reveals clear demands on the Prime Minister to keep children safe; stop bullying; cut down gun and knife crime and ban drugs, alcohol and smoking.

Over 6,000 children, aged six to 14 years contributed to the report calling for extra policing and surveillance in parks and other places where they play and on their walk to and from school. One of the most popular suggestions was an emergency number that they can call anytime they felt unsafe (63%)
Children said if they felt the streets were safe, 83 per cent of them would walk to school every day and if parks were safer 78 per cent of children would play out more. Nearly two thirds (60%) suggested using signs to either warn children a place is safe or unsafe to play.

The report reveals children’s biggest concern to be violence (54%), street crime (53%) and half of them (51%) worry about their parents arguing or divorcing. Nearly half, (48%) worry about their own health, and in recession-hit Britain, 40 per cent worry about being poor.

John Borg

Apr 21st 2009, 17:35

Peter Bonnici: I hate to point out the obvious but just because York University is in Britain, which is a European country that is in the EU does not mean that this report was produced by or for the EU. You may wish to consider that EU bureaucrats do not actually micro-manage everything that goes on on this continent and that universities do occasionally engage in research projects.

GaleaL

Apr 21st 2009, 17:35

Download the full report from

http://www.cpag.org.uk/info/ChildWellbeingandChildPoverty.pdf

Anne Marie

Apr 21st 2009, 17:23

The fact that not even results of a proper research can open the Maltese' eyes to realise how things are, is disturbing.

A while ago a statistic showed that Malta was the country with the 2nd highest percentage of angry and irritable children in the world, after Israel i believe.

Malta has a high rate of depression and suicide, rape,

Malta is OVERPUPULATED, which has negative affects on society, including increased depression rates

being safe, and children growing up with the right mentality are 2 different things...kids are used to listening to their parents blaming politics and every1 else for their financial and other problems etc...no wonder they grow up to be so angry at the world, instead of seeing what they can do to improve their situation they just blame the world, taking the easy way out and becoming lazy,

also parents who are meant to be of good example frequently are not...just look at the statistics of teenagers having children (thanks to a lack of proper sexual education in this country), do u really believe these kids receive the same upbringing as those with mature adults as an example

Chris Poulton

Apr 21st 2009, 17:10

Haven't the Brits ever heard the expression 'people in glasshouses should not throw stones'. When have we heard of 12 and 14-year old murderers and rapists in Malta? What about the 'healthy' Brit diets of fish'n'chips and microwave dinners they practically live on? Where did the York University get their information? Child poverty indeed. What about all the Brits living in council homes-does that not classify as poverty? Of course, we don't throw our kids out when they reach the age of 18, unlike the vast majority of Brits.

I just know I'm going to get a load of excuses, sorry responses, from pro-Brits and British ex-pats but....

Oh come on! All you need to do is occasionally look at msn.co.uk, or watch the news to hear about all the murders, stabbings, rape and drug offences committed by teenagers in England, not to mention the enormous number of teen and even pre-teen pregnancies there, to know that Malta is a MUCH better place to raise children than a number of EU member states.

Joseph Calleja

Apr 21st 2009, 17:09

Look who is calling the kettle black? I was born and raised in Malta and there is nothing wrong with me. I'm not saying everything in Malta is perfect, far from it, but the way these intellectuals make it sound, it's like Maltese kids are deprived off so many things. I see very few people living in dire poverty and not too many homeless either. Most Maltese kids are very educated because of the fierce competition, too many people not enough jobs. I suggest that York University take a good and hard look around them before coming with such ridiculous conclusions.

Steven Brockwell

Apr 21st 2009, 16:51

my grandfather always said to me in Malta everyone is a little rich man in his own way. and i guess we can still say that now.pensions,stipends, free medical, free schools, free itc courses, children allowance, free counseling which the church offers a lot and its safe for our children. forget politics that's another issue. however in the whole i have know family's from Australia and Canada even England that came back here to raise their children. so what is wrong with our system . because our roads are not perfect. our internet is slow, our buses are old, we take time to do something. so what. its in our nature to complain. thats what makes us better then everyone.

Moira Heath

Apr 21st 2009, 16:34

Why don't we do our own survey regarding how well our young are doing today? Let's hear it from them how happy they are to live in our country of "christian morals" as someone naively said, or how healthy they are breathing in the bus fumes and the dusty air from all the construction going on. Malta has a lot of potential, but it's not perfect. It's far from perfect. We should see why we have "been deemed" to be last, and try to improve those areas rather than shun the study like an act of heresy.

U ghadu ma wasalx il-Eurovision !!! Let's see what we'll have to say in May !

Peter Bonnici

Apr 21st 2009, 16:33

Perhaps this is the EU's subtle way of helping us deal with illegal immigration. Published in the hope that the info filters through to North and central African countries :-)

GaleaL

Apr 21st 2009, 16:32

What are the interests behind this report?

Stephen Mifsud

Apr 21st 2009, 16:29

Malta is an amazing place to raise children ...look at the postive that Malta has to offer ..it has its history and the best weather in the world, we are a huge family really and yes we dont get a long all the time but i will tell you that the Maltese will always be there to help protect the children ....everyone knew us in the neighborhood and they new our parents and tell me where you find that anywhere else ?....also we have so many things to do and children are never bored ...i do see since the Internet age children spent to much time on the computer instead being outside playing and keeping fit ....and the drugs are a problem and we need to rid of that as its a killer to our whole society ....but that is everywhere in the world ...sometimes progress is not really progress ...i think Malta was much better in the past then today in community and valuesand today we have more money but less of community ....so being rich is not whats it all out to be ,,,maybe we were "richer" in the past if you think about it ,

Chris Harris

Apr 21st 2009, 16:27

Did someone say Yeah the netherlands the best all i can say is what a load of crap!

mario agius

Apr 21st 2009, 16:23

I hope that there will be an official reply in the right places to this stupidity.

Matthew Gatt

Apr 21st 2009, 16:15

The Times should have classified that first statement. The study claims that Malta is the worst EU COUNTRY for children to grow up in... And not the worst country. That makes a big difference!

Steven Brockwell

Apr 21st 2009, 16:02

mr mark if Malta is bad for your children then why are you here? after all the rubbish we get from the EU do you really believe that Malta is worst place for you children? have you ever lived abroad. i have lived in 4 country's and Malta always turned out the best to raise a family at 16 years old i was chased by a man in the middle of the afternoon while playing football with friends over in England. the police caught this guy and later found out he had raped 3 boys. i was lucky and kicked him were it hurts, then ran to a police car..in malta he would have been caught right away.

Evarist Saliba

Apr 21st 2009, 16:02

The Malta I know is not perfect, far from it, but Is the subject of this study the same Malta where other studies show that older people (who were children, once upon a time) are more satisfied with their life than in most other European countries?

Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi

Apr 21st 2009, 15:58

Just enjoying Malta's sunny clime is enough of a bonus for a child, over the supposed winning countries in Western Northern Europe.

Steven Brockwell

Apr 21st 2009, 15:54

come on guys if the government wont make a stand on this servery then its up to us parents to do so. and show the world how we live comfortably and take care of our own and others.

Steven Brockwell

Apr 21st 2009, 15:50

mr adrian the facts are you lot feed the dog before you feed your children. lived there seen it. you have more animal protection adverts going on then children ones. how come. in my house i feed my children dog and two cats. don't you think that this survey insulted the Maltese. there are no people living in boxes over here. go to hide park its full of them. so what is your letter saying.

John Borg

Apr 21st 2009, 15:40

Mrs Evans: so in your opinion the quality of life that our children can have is directly proportionate to how many white faces they see in class? I think it says a lot about what country we live in today that someone can make such an outrageous statement without any hint of embarassment.

Adrian Allain

Apr 21st 2009, 15:37

@ Mr Frank Sultana.(and others)
"they mean to tell me that in Britian the kids at school are well behaved,better education,"
As far as 'Behaviour and Risk' is concerned, Malta came 14th, the UK 18th.
Why don't you check the facts before passing comment? The UK came 24th, Malta came 29th not 28th as reported above. Only Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta were behind the UK.
There was insufficient information for Malta to be assessed on education.
The Child Poverty Action Group website has all the facts.

Steven Brockwell

Apr 21st 2009, 15:34

MR malcolm view my comments on drug abuse and sexual abuse. i worked with these people have you.?

Joe Grima

Apr 21st 2009, 15:30

Can we ever rank lower than the UK where the Government has had to legislate against anti-social behaviour by youngsters who make their neighbours' lives an absolute misery with their bullying, and who binge on weekends ending up in the slammer or in hospitals? Not possible. This study must be the result of some prank or an attack on Maltese values by some drunken British student on holiday in Malta who must have been turned down by a pretty Maltese girlfriend for belching on bad breath.

Anna Maria Bartolo

Apr 21st 2009, 15:09

Probably the health aspect was a considerable factor in this study. In which case I am not surprised by the results. How many easily-accessible open spaces are there left for children to play in? What about (both air and noise) pollution? These factors have a psychological effect. Why has nobody commented about the fact that the study was also based on relationships and how children feel about their lives? Maybe in Malta, parents aren't as open with their children, in comparison with other EU countries? Especially on issues still considered taboo to a certain point. Maybe children feel they have less freedom of expression on an island where people are always ready to pounce whenever someone says something controversial? Get the hint?

Patrick Cilia

Apr 21st 2009, 14:55

It would be interesting to see the full report before commenting further. I am rather sceptical of this shaky analysis since it contrasts rather starkly with previous reports that Malta has the one of the best health systems in Europe and also is high on the educational scale! So what is all this about?

John M. Grima

Apr 21st 2009, 14:52

...........LIES AND STATISTICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steven Brockwell

Apr 21st 2009, 14:48

the problem with the Maltese is a lot of them think because its foreign its great. have pride in our country that's all can say. and my kids love it here xxxxxxx viva malta u il- maltin

m.mifsud

Apr 21st 2009, 14:34

what a lot of rubbish. Where else can children walk to the corner shop on their own to buy groceries, or are free to go out on their bikes without worrying about being abducted, abused or murdered? Most children get good education and health care from the government and while these things can be improved, the system is far from being so bad that we would rank last. Children here have a large support system from their immediate and extended families..and from their community which is a lot closer than communities in the uk where you barely see your next door neighbour.

Malta and Gozo with their lower crime rates are good safe places to bring up children. There is absolutely no way that the UK ranks higher here.

Mark Aloisio

Apr 21st 2009, 14:32

Rather than reacting to the title of the story, readers should look at the (admittedly few) details and also realize that such reports deal with aggregate data. I must say that I am not surprised at Malta's ranking. Reports, stories and letters published right here on this paper often highlight how, in comparison with most other European countries, Maltese children have limited access to childcare facilities if their parents work (and so get shuttled around between grandparents, who make loving but not exactly ideal childcare providers); they must make do with restricted outdoor space where they can play safely; they often have poorly-equipped schools; are often overweight and practice little sport; receive poor sexual and personal education, and the list goes on. Rather than reacting defensively we should see what we can learn from such reports, although honestly this one only confirmed what we already knew.

Caroline Archer

Apr 21st 2009, 14:29

I am 1/2 and 1/2... My choice is Malta for raising my young family. I love the fact that children are welcome after dark!!!! Unlike the UK... there is nothing for families to do together socially after dark. Our time is half day and night and our young need to learn how to react and behave.
Malta allows this culturally and commercially, however in recent years young adults seem to be ill equipped to deal openly and honestly with the entire offerings of a sad modern world. St Julian’s etc get excited over student numbers ....These young visitors to the island are sold alcohol for profit, there needs to be better responsibility about how they are allowed to behavior but still have fun, the current offering is horrid for all residents of Malta, families on holiday and above all the students themselves.
Malta is magically as are its people.. be open and honest and allow evolution to keep this magic alive don’t die with the brunt of commercial greed…! Let this report be a warning to the measures and perceptions of others once you have had a good look at your young.

Louise Borg

Apr 21st 2009, 14:28

@ bernard mccarthy..thanks for your kind comments!!!
I'm proud to be Maltese and positevely sure that Malta is one of the safeties country in the world!!!...so i didn't ever bother to read the whole article!

D Scerri

Apr 21st 2009, 14:24

Are we basing our comments on impressions and what tourists say??...honestly....If this is the level of our education and mentality- it's pathetic. Our comments should be based on dependable information - like facts and statistics. Have any of you heard of Appogg ??? If the study is correct - this is pretty alarming. I suggest we take ownership of the situation, and understand the issues raised .... before jumping to conclusions. Let us not dig our heads deeper in the sand because the comments are not to our liking. If this is a problem, let us face it and find solutions to resolve it. Being Maltese I am very interested in making sure that our children's well being is a priority.

May.Cassar

Apr 21st 2009, 14:19

I really cannot believe that anyone living in Malta can truly see any truth in this report. Following the British news daily is enough to prove that here at least we the parents don't have to kit out our kids with special jackets when they go to school because of the unprovoked spat of knife attackes on children. I wonder if the person who wrote this report has any children of their own, and how often they can leave their kids alone,safely even in their own homes back in Britian. True that our kids now a days a spoilt because we try to give them the best of everything which has its repurcussions. But still I believe that Malta is one of the best and safest places to bring up children surrounded in the love of parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts etc. This report should be refuted by those who represent us, as it casts a bad light on all of us Maltese.

David Galea

Apr 21st 2009, 14:19

The Times' article is slightly misleading, as is the study's conclusions (in my opinion of course).

Malta scored very badly (28 from 29) in the "Child Health" and "Subjective Wellbeing" categories.

Child Health includes, low birth weight and infant mortality (which I am afraid I cannot comment on) but also children's health behaviour, like exercising, eating fruit, brushing teeth etc. While I have no doubt that many of our kids have access to toothbrushes and toothpaste many of the parents do not make it a priority to introduce children to sport and healthy diets at an early age (and encourage it thereafter), so the result comes as no particular surprise.

Subjective Wellbeing deals with whether children like school, feel pressured at school, feel they are healthy etc. There is no doubt that the academic pressure and strain on Maltese children is amongst the highest in the world with school, homework, private lessons etc. (leaving most who don't have the unstinting dedication to exercise or sport to do without). Are we surprised at that score?

The last factor is the absence of enough data on educational attainment and participation, something in which Malta should score very highly.

Enough sensationalism!

Kenneth Cassar

Apr 21st 2009, 14:12

What many people are missing is the fact that most of the news we get comes from newspapers and TV. When foreign news agencies report on crimes occurring every single day (or often enough) in some foreign country, this must be taken in the context of the whole population of that country. For instance, a violent crime every day in the UK would still comparatively be less (proportionately) than a single violent crime per year in Malta.

While I cannot personally verify the findings of this study, I do not see it as very unbelievable.

Sally Ward-Enticott

Apr 21st 2009, 14:10

We spend as much time as possible in Malta and comment on how loved and appreciated the children are compared with their English counterparts. The freedom they enjoy, the security and their inclusion in all parts of family life are a far cry from that of children in our part of the world. The education they receive is far superior: there are few children who have the chance to learn more than one language - or who want to in England. Take no notice of these Northern boffins: they probably only visit Malta on a cruise ship!

A.M Gauci

Apr 21st 2009, 14:06

As a teenager, I really find it hard to keep on with the education system in Malta. I decided to continue studying because I thought that I made the right choice, but it wasn't after all. There are also teenagers in Malta who are so violent to other teenagers, and this can be seen in the capital city - Valletta in particular. And I also agree with kevin borg, who posted before. Unfortunately, most of the Maltese children and teenagers don't know how to behave themselves, even with other teenagers. Instead of trying to understand ones' situation, all they do is make it worse.

Paul Smith

Apr 21st 2009, 14:06

I say Malta is top 5 to grow up in...

Hmmm.... For lack of space to run around in. For the very real possability of getting run over since no speed limits are enforced, the only thing that stopped my kids getting run down in xaghrja near Marsascala was our fantastic mayor whom put speed bumps out side our apartment to slow the traffic abusers down.
Thank you Mr. mayor

Bradly Reece (UK)

Apr 21st 2009, 14:04

@Matter Werrirung are you living on the same planet as us, i presume you are or have been living in Malta, so what are you doing then over here then that is assuming you are. You sound the same like the old Dutch football supporters who beat the hell out of each other when Feynord are playing against Ajax. What a laugh!! Holland tops it should have been Malta tops and not the other way wround sunshine. Bradly Reece * The United Kingdom and Malta

Steven Brockwell

Apr 21st 2009, 14:02

mr malcom part 2 i know families who came back to Malta just to give their children a safe environment. we have feast over here with no fights at all. i remember in England years ago just because there were a crowd of maybe 20 or more the police came into break up the crowd. my wife is English when her brother came here he was surprised that so many people could walk around our sea front in sliema and no fights. if you don't live here or have the maltese way of life back off. we are a political divided people. however, when push comes to shove we unite and all share the same values. that's my case what is yours ???

Steven Brockwell

Apr 21st 2009, 13:56

mr malcom i have worked with tourist for 3 years and also public relations for over 20 years. i have 3 children 1 in uni who gets paid by our island to study. i have one in a church school and the other in what we call the lyceum my children at a young age played in the park . feeling safe now they go out at night and also feel safe. i have lived in England for many years you may guess from my surname that i am from English origin and would surly prefer to bring my children up in Malta then in England. in fact most English couples my age don't even go out scared they will be attacked or mugged. my mother who is 70 years old stays out with her friends till mid night. with not a worry what so ever. can you do these things in your country or in england.

Paul Smith

Apr 21st 2009, 13:53

Mr.Frank Sultana

you seem a bit angry, are you talking about Britain as usual - the country that for the last 30 years has sent millions of tourists to help you develop your nice country?
Education has improved enourmously in the UK. Most schools are new or schools of the future, every classroom has electronic white boards - every student has there own in class laptop. Books writing and reading material is provided by the state, all kids are entitled to a school meal, Childrens tax credits and childrens allowance as well as working tax credits have lifted most children out of child poverty, childrens cloths are not expensive due to competition amongst the large retail stores and this alleviates the social stygma between less well off kids and wealthy kids.
There is good and bad behavoir in most schools even in Malta
Our math and English grades are amongst the best in Europe, our kids holiday every year if not abroad at the local beach resorts. It's not fare to compare, Malta simply could not afford to do this for there children at this very moment, maybe in a few years time.

Mrs. Antionette Farrugia

Apr 21st 2009, 13:53

i just hope that the survey is concluding their findings on the amount of foreign lager louts that come to Malta every year that visit Paceville and the discos causing all sorts of problems. I put it down to jealousy as there isn't one country in the world that has a better up bringing then Mata and Gozo.

S Mizzi

Apr 21st 2009, 13:51

Well you know what? At least each and every child in Malta gets a shot at life. This is where Malta ranks first and where every other country that has legalised abortion fails miserably.

Stephen Mifsud

Apr 21st 2009, 13:50

i was brought up in the 50's and 60's in Malta and i live in Canada right now and i always said to my Canadain freinds the i was so fortunate to grow upin Malta in my childhood as it was the best life any child could have ...we had culture ,community ,the fantastic Maltese atmosphere and folklore and festivals we had frredom to go swimming and roam in the fields and play football we had no worries we had family we had religion we had good life and we lived simple and we shared ...the thing is "we had"....i ask how many we still have left of these conditions ???.....Malta has changed in many ways and if i had to do it all over again i would choose Malta hands down to be born in and grow up in period .

Paul Portelli

Apr 21st 2009, 13:48

I am not surprised that Malta is at the bottom of the list. The researchers looked at alcohol consumption, smoking, drug abuse, health problems including obesity, education and literacy levels, environment etc. Those think that Malta does not have problems in these areas should look around and speak to teachers and others who work with children. Please note that British children are not much better off than the Maltese. Britain is in the 24th place but the reaction in the British media was that more had to be improve the situation for their children.
All those responsable for the welfare of our children, including parents, teacher, politicians and other leaders should read the report carefully and start taking action to improve the situation.

Patrick Camilleri

Apr 21st 2009, 13:41

Rubbish.

The researchers should go back to their study to find out why the indicators they have selected have given a totally incorrect result.

Anthony Formosa

Apr 21st 2009, 13:40

Why is it that in every survey we're always the last? in everything except in obesity? when are we going to tackle these serious issues that concerns our children, instead tackling stupid issues like hunting and trapping, which is keeping our young children away from nature and closer to drugs, alcohol, health risks, and all the bad habits.

Mr Frank Sultana, perhaps you lived abroad but you don't know what really is happening here. Yes I believe in this report, we were better fifty years ago than today.

Margaret Richards

Apr 21st 2009, 13:38

First of all I would like to say that I disagree wholeheartedly with what Stephen Farrugia is saying. He seems to be one of those people who is never happy with anything and always wants more. Why doesn't he ask himself why so many countries want to join the EU? We could do with less negative morons of the like. Also i fully disagree with the article. I would just like to know the sources used to arrive to such infamous results. It would be very interesting also to see to what type of people were contacted to arrive to such a negative result. Maybe it is after all a pain in the neck for many countries to have such a safe country as Malta, so a negative report will have some repercussions.........i'm quite sure it won't. So get your statistics and reports right before putting pen to paper please!!!

Mev.Jannie Hartmann

Apr 21st 2009, 13:35

I don't believe this columm above by York University for one minute., i am Dutch and now thank God we are living in Malta being a very safe country especially for our children, we have been trying to get out kids over here in Malta for years now because of the violence and drug situation in the Netherlands, have these guys from child poverty of the York university ever visited or lived in Amsterdam North or any other part in Holland ? please spend a few years there and then come back to us with your story. As far as we are concerned and i reapeat we are of Dutch nationality find that Malta and especially Gozo to us comparing it with these supposidly superior countries mentioned above,we just can't find a better people, and better education system and i must include discipline then Malta and Gozo.The School children are well dressed here in their school uniforms, tell me where these uniforms ever exist in the Netherlands, our children also told us that the older kids wearing jeans ans smokeing in the class now is that good or bad education system. Please get your fact right> J.Hartmann (NL)

Caemelo(Nenu)Aquilina

Apr 21st 2009, 13:32

Jien ma naqbilx ukoll ma' dan ir-rapport. Anzi jien bhala Malti nhossni insulentat bil-fama hazina li tefa fuq Malta!
Jista' jkun li dan ir-rappoert huwa intenzjonat li jaghmel hsara kbira lill Malta?
Ghax kull minn jigi Malta jiskanta bina, u bilkemm jemnu li jinsabu Malta, anzi l-familji Maltin huma l-ghira ta' mexxejja u popli ta'nazzjonijiet hafna akbar u hafna aktar sinjuri minnha l-Maltin!
Li ahna zghar nafu u nammettuh, imma li ahna kapaci bhal kull poplu iehor nafu u nemnuh ilkoll, nafu wkoll li hadd mhu ser jahsillek wiccek ghax iridek isbah minnhu, u allura minn jghir ghalina ghandna wkoll!
Ghalhekk jien nappella lill-gvern Malti biex jiehu bis-serjeta dan ir-rapport li jista'hu malizzjuz,u jinkariga nies professjonali biex jinvestigaw dan ir-rapport minn kull angolu!
Il-Maltin m'ghadhom ihallu lill hadd jiddihaq bihom jew jaghmlilhom l-icken hsara!

Mark A Vassallo

Apr 21st 2009, 13:28

This study must be flawed. I cannot believe we are even worse than Romania and Bulgaria.
There's no mention how the data was obtained.

Manuel Micallef

Apr 21st 2009, 13:27

One should take this study with objectivity.

The problem which many of us have is that we don't know "other" - we only know how we live and believe this is the best - whilst perhaps our "aged" methods need updating.

In my opinion, Maltese families (and children) have advantages - for warmeth etc... but we lack behind in offering sports facilities for children to entertain themselves, parks, etc. When I was a college student, many laready took pills (and drugs) due to stress and fmaily probelms.

We do have out problems... and in my experience, these are becoming worse. We need to be careful - as surely York univeristy did not have any particular reason to put Malta at the bottom of the list. (Needless to say that ever year about 350 new brons don't even know who their father is...)

J Attard

Apr 21st 2009, 13:14

WOW Netherlands top place to grow up your kids! Halluna

rgauci

Apr 21st 2009, 13:14

Thinking about it in Malta we are in knee deep when it comes to alcohol and drugs, i am still young and i still go out, the situation is horrible. Maltese people do not know their limits. I believe the survey.

R. Gatt

Apr 21st 2009, 13:11

@ Frank Sultana - you are wrong about our health system. There are listings that prove otherwise to what you think.

Jamie Mercieca

Apr 21st 2009, 13:09

I strongly suggest having a look at the actual report before jumping to conclusions and making unfounded remarks.

One of the main problems in this country is that we tend to speak before we think!

Perhaps we need to learn for ourselves and focus on teaching Malta's upcoming generations how to use their minds for a change!!!

Geir Nilsen

Apr 21st 2009, 12:59

John Camilleri: So you think these results have been bought by the Nordic countries and Holland? Infant mortality and birth weight figures are very believeable. As abortion is illegal here, there are probably more unhealthy infants being born, and knowing that the Maltese are physically the second smallest in Europe, that will obviously affect the birth weight.

Malta is also an extremely conservative country, and it shouldn't come as a surprise that Maltese children find it difficult to talk to their parents. Religion plays a large part of Maltese' lives even in the 30-40 year olds, but this is changing rapidly. More and better education - and the internet - widens the gap between youths and their parents. This happened 40 years ago in Scandinavia and has now come to Malta.

Regarding violence and risk, one only has to go to Paceville one evening to understand. But why this happens I am at loss to explain. But then again I have no idea what a Maltese upbringing is about.

Me and my wife are planning kids here in Malta ourselves, but what we are most afraid of is the lack of nature and the school system - even the private.

jbusuttil

Apr 21st 2009, 12:58

@Matter Werrirung

That is why it's a must for our youngsters to holiday in Amsterdam. MAY BE WHY?

Mr.Frank Sultana

Apr 21st 2009, 12:52

I strongly object to the above article, York University < Britian as usual> should go back to basics, what a load of cod's wollop, they mean to tell me that in Britian the kids at school are well behaved,better education, come on pull the other its got bells on it. This is a bad image for our country, our education is one of the best in the world, our children can't have a better country to grow in then Malta, we have a good family and a christain morals, come on now play the white man,this article also mentions the Netherlands as being tops, but let me tell you i have lived in the Netherlands, i have also lived the UK, and i swear its the worst two countries i have ever had the misfortune to work and lived in, i had no chose being in the service, ofcourse i have also been to other destinations but this article is completly unsidedown and i have my own opinion. Yes i i must admit our health system is not as good as theirs, but thats only the health system which is gradually coming up in line with the UK..

bernard mccarthy

Apr 21st 2009, 12:51

I married into a Maltese family over 30 years ago and I have never met such a happy nation of people. You have a wonderful and envious family warmth for children to grow up in. Obviously, like any country, it is not true of every situation but believe me the Maltese family has a lot to be proud of.

simon james schembri

Apr 21st 2009, 12:50

I do not believe this study either. Malta is quite safe, although it could be safer. In Malta there are still a lot of people who give up their time freely do help children develop into positive adults.

Both Church and State do a lot in this area. While not perfect, at least here we don't have social workers failing to stop children from getting killed by abusive parents as in the case of baby P. This study is bullsh*t.

Britain was more problems than us, and so has Italy. The term Broken Britain often features in UK media. In Italia every week we hear of someone who got pissed off, and killed wife and kids. Entire families get wiped out each week in Italy. Here it hardly ever happens.

The social fabric in Malta was not yet been eroded to the extent of other European countries. In Sweden little boys, once a week, have to go to school wearing girls dresses, and teachers use female names to call them. A little research will confirm this.

I say Malta is top 5 to grow up in...

S. Mangion

Apr 21st 2009, 12:49

I don't believe my eyes!!

First of all I feel and sincerly belive that Malta is one of the best country for children to grow up in.

Children have the best ambience were family principles and values are still intact. Children and teenagers have the backing of their families, the state and many other resources.

On the other hand, it is true that some families do not have a sound economical background, and they may not offer the latest material items, however the most important thing is not materiality as the EU member state belive in, but family affection, love and the blessing that their parents have given them a religion (Roman Catholics) which is a peaceful one and gives a set of values that other country lacks.

On the other hand, we may lack with regards to health were many children do not eat a healthy and balanced diet.

wally vella-zarb

Apr 21st 2009, 12:49

Good one! :-)
I do wonder whether the date on this report was the 1st of April; if it wasn't then I suspect that the authors included some of the Lager Louts that visit this island every year. What a joke!

malcolm tortell

Apr 21st 2009, 12:49

@ Stephen Brockwell:
What case? You spoke to a few tourists thats all.

simon james schembri

Apr 21st 2009, 12:47

I do not believe this study either. Malta is quite safe, although it could be safer. In Malta there are still a lot of people who give up their time freely do help children develop into positive adults.

Both Church and State do a lot in this area. While not perfect, at least here we don't have social workers failing to stop children from getting killed by abusive parents as in the case of baby P. This study is bullsh*t.

Britain was more problems than us, and so has Italy. The term Broken Britain often features in UK media. In Italia every week we hear of someone who got pissed off, and killed wife and kids. Entire families get wiped out each week in Italy. Here it hardly ever happens.

The social fabric in Malta was not yet been eroded to the extent of other European countries. In Sweden little boys, once a week, have to go to school wearing girls dresses, and teachers use female names to call them. A little research will confirm this.

I say Malta is top 5 to grow up in...

Anthony Cutajar

Apr 21st 2009, 12:47

Get the study in full, publish it as an "extra" in a ToM issue and let the reviews come in. Otherwise provide a link to the study source. I'd like to see this study how statistically sound it is and whether the rating scale used makes any sense. Simply quoting from it only generates emotional conclusions possibly verging on the erraneous.

Ramon Casha

Apr 21st 2009, 12:47

This study can be downloaded from:
http://www.cpag.org.uk/press/2009/210409.htm

Anthony Briffa

Apr 21st 2009, 12:43

I cannot believe that Malta can rank , for example, behind Romania, with all those children in Bucharest alone, homeless, without schooling and sleeping in the sewers. The reporter is now duty bound to research the whole study and report accordingly. I am sure that there are enough competent people in Malta who can rebut such findings.

adrian aquilina

Apr 21st 2009, 12:36

mr d galea is correct...with such a closed and religious society we can never move forward.
young people here have not able to think for themselves and a big part of the blame goes to schools and all the ministers who have been in charge.individuality is almost nil here and that is a big problem.another problem is made by mr camilleri.the fact that most people here dont want to see how far behind we are.

kevin borg

Apr 21st 2009, 12:36

100% correct. you have to come to the st.julian's area and swieqi to see 13 year old youngsters with no respect whatsoever to people, swearing and god knows what

Stephen Farrugia

Apr 21st 2009, 12:35

I believe it. Thank God we have caring families. I see no effect the EU money is having on making anything better or a higher standard of living. I would bet that it made our banking system stronger, with all the new deposits ! Maybe we should move from burden sharing to benefit sharing, to add to the fairy tale.

malcolm tortell

Apr 21st 2009, 12:35

@ John Camilleri:

why not? Have a look at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090421/local/88-percent-of-female-drug-addicts-sexually-abused while you're at it

Michael Neville Cassar

Apr 21st 2009, 12:34

Well it could be true for some, but how I miss my childhood running on rough ground where we had practically no lights, hearing only the sound of animals and no TV or disturbing sounds. Life was quite simple, today kids can copy TV commercials and drug users, Malta and Gozo have been over ruined by excessive cars buildings and noise, but most of all with fast moving society, families trying to keep with this globalization survival trade movement.However I still want to be brought up in Malta.

Stephen Sammut

Apr 21st 2009, 12:33

I disagree. I think Malta is one of the best places for kids to grow up...Where else can kids run around and play without any supervision whatsoever?
I think that until the age of about 15, Malta is an ideal place for kids to be broguht up.

Matter Werrirung

Apr 21st 2009, 12:24

yeah netherlands the best

Steven Brockwell

Apr 21st 2009, 12:24

what ! it seems like so people get their stats from planet Pluto. i have spoken to lots of tourist who visit our island and they all say that Malta is safe for the children that's why they come here. as for poverty i would say Maltese children are spoiled rotten, because all Maltese want the best for their kids. at the end of the day how many child committed crimes do we have in Malta and how many take place in England? rest my case

D.Galea

Apr 21st 2009, 12:21

This is just putting in writing what I've been holding obvious for a long time, if we had to be ranked also in material resources, education, housing and environment, we would sanked even further down, not to mention even in safety & criminality. Thank you for this article.

John Camilleri

Apr 21st 2009, 12:19

I do not believe this study.