One in five Maltese children do not feel safe walking about in their neighbourhoods, a recent study has revealed.

Maltese children are also ranked as feeling the least satisfied with the people living in their areas.

Conducted by Carmel Cefai and Natalie Galea from the Centre for Resilience and Socio-emotional Health at the University of Malta, the study is part of a research survey on children’s subjective well-being involving 16 countries from around the world.

Maltese children are among the least satisfied with their local neighbourhoods.Maltese children are among the least satisfied with their local neighbourhoods.

The other participants include: Poland, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Colombia, Turkey, UK, Algeria, Spain, Germany, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Nepal and Ethiopia.

The study flagged the fact that Maltese children are among the least satisfied with their local neighbourhoods – including places to play in – as well as with people in the area and their safety.

Malta ranks at the bottom of the list when it comes to eight-year-olds who feel satisfied with the people living in their area. Sixteen per cent of Maltese children do not think there is enough space for play and leisure time, while another 12 per cent appear doubtful. Eleven per cent do not feel safe when they walk in the area they live in, while another 11 per cent also express a degree of concern. Girls appear to feel less safe than boys.

16 per cent of Maltese children do not think there is enough space for play and leisure time

Maltese children would like more child-friendly and safe public spaces in their own locality where they can socialise, play with their peers and engage in other activities such as sports, the study notes.

Maltese children have the highest obesity rate in the EU and one of the highest across the world. They also engage less frequently in sports and exercise when compared to most children in other countries.

On the other hand, watching television and spending time on their computer are the favourite leisure activities among Maltese children. Gender differences reflect stereotypical gender roles, with boys spending more time on organised activities, sports and computers, and girls on reading, helping with housework, doing their homework and taking care of others.

Girls are less satisfied than boys with their use of time, perhaps reflecting a lack of choice and freedom and having to spend more time helping others than enjoying themselves, the study notes.

“A healthier balance needs to be found between academic work and computer use and internet on one hand, and spending time on sports, exercise and organised activities, on the other.

“Girls may be given more freedom and choice on how to spend their time and may be encouraged to engage more in sports and exercise; boys on the other hand may be encouraged to spend more time helping others.”

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