Child Welfare

A UNICEF study that compared the situation of children in 21 industrialized nations put German children squarely in the middle of the list, at 11th place.

The report by the United Nations children's advocacy agency compared six markers, including material wealth, health, education, relationship to parents and peers, behaviors and risks, as well as the children's own assessment of their situation, to determine the rankings.

Typical of poor scoring nations were children who did not trust their friends, rarely spent time with parents, and overate. Poverty among minorities and a lack of books in homes also dragged down scores.

Northern Europe scores high

Top marks went mostly to northern European countries. The Netherlands garnered first place, followed by Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Spain and Switzerland. France took 16th place, while the UK landed a miserable 21st slot.

The honorary chairwoman of German UNICEF, Heide Simonis, called Germany's middle-of-the-pack showing "unsatisfying." She told Bavarian state radio the country needs more full-day schools and more childcare for very young children. In addition, she said, politicians have to take the problems of youth more seriously.

German Family Minster Ursula von der Leyen this week proposed spending 3 million ($4 million) euros more on expanding childcare in Germany, a plan that has received approval from political leaders though the proposal still lacks a funding plan.

Germany scored poorly on its schools, which mostly operate in the morning only, and its lack of success helping immigrant children.

Regional disparities

Simonis noted that the German education system suffers under severe regional disparities as some states offer a better education than others.

Simonis also noted that Germany scored poorly when it came to cigarette and alcohol use. The country -- the last bastion for smokers in Europe -- has more teen smokers under the age of 15 than in any other.

"Germans share with the British the dubious honor of having the children and teenagers who drink alcohol most often," she added.

Moreover, the study showed nearly 40 percent of surveyed German children said their parents "never really talk" to them.

Germans less aggressive

Simonis stressed that there were some positive results, too. For example, German children and teens were relatively less aggressive than in other countries.

The Caritas aid organization told news agencies that the study clearly showed that the lack of a reliable living environment can be a serious detriment to the development of children in German society, especially for less-educated and immigrant families.

There was also dismay over the results in Britain, with commentators saying the low ratings for personal relationships were evidence of a dog-eat-dog society where too many children hang around on the streets.