The German World Vision Children Study (2010)

Why this Study?

With the First World Vision Children’s Study of 2007, World Vision Germany for the first time asked a team of scientists and a renowned opinion poll agency to carry out a representative survey of children in Germany aged eight to eleven years, on the perception of their own life situation and their well-being. The results of the First Study received wide attention and media coverage and have been taken note of by sociologists, educators, child researchers and politicians.

Based on the positive impact of the First Study, the World Vision Institute asked the team of scholars to carry out a second run of the survey in 2010. This time around, the number surveyed was increased from 1,600 to 2,500, and the age was lowered to include 6-year-old children. On these pages, you’ll find a translation from German into English of some portions of the Second World Vision Study.

Once again, the same team of researchers as before carried out the second survey, namely Prof. Dr. Klaus Hurrelmann of the Hertie School of Governance, Prof. Dr. Sabine Andresen of the University of Bielefeld, and Ulrich Schneekloth of TNS Infratest.

Giving Children a Voice
 

What do children do in their spare time? What do they think of family, friends and school? How do they perceive their prospect for later life? What wishes, goals and values do German kids have? This survey looks at these and other aspects of children’s lives and their own well-being. The study also asks: what consequences do we draw from this Second Survey and what type of environment would be conducive for children to flourish and to attain to the best of their abilities?

The World Vision Children's Study does not just talk about children, it talks with them. And by describing what children think and feel, the Study also attempts to give them a voice to be heard. Let children speak for themselves! They are the best experts in matters concerning themselves! Children want to participate. Children want to be taken seriously. Children want to be heard. But all too often, they are overlooked and their opinion is not called for. This Study attempts to change all that.

Contact:

Katharina Gerarts
World Vision Children´s Study
Childhood Studies, Child Well-being Research
Katharina_Gerarts@wvi.org

Office Phone: +49 (0)6172-763-176

Order the Study (in German)