The state of young Australians
A crisis of social reproduction

* “Many Australian children struggle with their mental health. Recent data shows around one in seven children (13.9%) aged 4–17 experiences a diagnosable mental illness.”

“…We estimated that reducing factors such as parental psychological distress, hostile parenting and partner violence could potentially prevent up to 40% of severe and persistent mental health problems in young Australians.” >>
https://theconversation.com/to-improve-childrens-mental-health-start-by-supporting-their-parents-271944

* Young Australians kept in the dark
Australia’s social media ban preventing teenagers from accessing the news, research finds >>
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/19/australias-social-media-ban-preventing-teens-from-accessing-the-news-research-finds

* Sydney mum reveals the huge cost of the school run (Young people's socialisation into (car) dependency)
"She would easily spend $170 a week on petrol, and drives between 80km and 90km often six or seven days a week, depending on what’s on. In 2024, the average household should budget between $10,000 and $25,000 a year to own car." >>
https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/scool-run-australia-cost-2024/
#SocialReproduction #StateRetreat #CareDeficit #MentalHealth #anxiety #children #parenting #carers #family #DomesticViolence #violence #suburbia #sprawl #cars #MobilityDesign #CarDependency #work #WageStagnation #inequality #housing #instability #DoubleBurden #financialisation #outsourcing #SocialMedia #MSM #independence #citizens

To improve children’s mental health, start by supporting their parents

Long-term data shows children are more likely to develop mental health issues when their parents experience financial stress and housing instability.

The Conversation

A crisis of social reproduction

“We are living in a world that is the most cognitively demanding world that there has ever been...So it is unsurprising that people feel that they are overwhelmed. They can’t focus. They can’t concentrate because that is the world we live in.”
>>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-21/women-adhd-medication-overtake-men-australia-data-four-corners/106583242
#zeitgeist #CareWork #CrisisOfCare #women #gender #ReproductiveLabour #DoubleBurden #CareDeficit #austerity #overwhelmedness #speed #ClimateCrisis #lifeworld #pharmaceuticals #medication #SocialTransition

'Pretty invisible': The rise of ADHD medication being prescribed to young women

Within the sharp increase of ADHD rates in Australia lies a hidden story — more women are being prescribed medication than men. Understanding why is more complicated.