UK & Ireland Policy

Bye Buy Childhood

In September 2010 Mothers' Union launched the Bye Buy Childhood campaign in Britain and Ireland, with its report into the commercialisation of childhood. This followed four years of consultation with Mothers' Union members, research into parents' opinions and a review of existing research into the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood.

The campaign aims to stop childhood from being treated as a marketing opportunity; and to stop both girls and boys being targeted with the 'sex sells' approach. We believe that everyone has a role to play in ending the commercialisation of childhood:

Parents and families can reflect on and, if necessary, change their consumer habits; challenge any manufacturers, marketers or retailers who sell unfairly or inappropriately to children; and contact their political representatives about the issue.

Manufacturers, marketers and retailers can ensure they take an ethical approach to marketing and selling to children.

The Governments of Britain and Ireland can keep the issue on the political agenda and, in particular, take action to prevent children being targeted with sexualised goods and marketing.

The UK Government is now carrying out a review into the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood, due for publication in May 2011.

Mothers' Union has produced a range of resources to help you campaign, which can be found at the dedicated campaign website www.byebuychildhood.org, along with campaign news and developments. For further enquiries, please email policy@themothersunion.org

Flexible Families




One way to support family life is to ensure parents can balance their work commitments with family responsibilities. Mothers' Union's Flexible Families campaign has lobbied the UK Government since 2006 to extend the right to request flexible working to parents with children up to the age of 18. Flexible working can include working arrangements such as part-time work, condensed hours, flexi-time or working from home.

From April 2011 parents with children up to 17 will have the right to request flexible working. However, the Coalition Government has, in its Equality Strategy, promised to:

• Extend the right to request flexible working to all employees, promoting flexible working as sensible business practice rather than special treatment
• Encourage shared parenting from the earliest stage of pregnancy, and consult on a new system of flexible parental leave, allowing parents of all types of families to share leave between them.

For further details on the proposals go to www.equalities.gov.uk

Domestic Violence

In December 2011, the Home Office launched a public consultation on the definition of domestic violence used across all Government departments. As part of our work on gender equality and violence against women, Mothers' Union made an official response. This was informed by responses to a questionnaire sent out to Mothers' Union members and can be downloaded in pdf form below.

Archive: Consultation Documents