Australian Parents Sounding Alarm on “Child Independence Crisis”
Anxiety Soars Ahead of School Year
South Australian children are entering the school year with record levels of anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and low resilience, according to new data from a national survey of Australian parents conducted by Positive Parenting.
The survey of 237 parents, run between November 2025 and February 2026, reveals a growing “independence crisis”, with parents reporting they feel unequipped to build the skills schools now expect children to have.
Local paediatric psychologist Dr Terence Sheppard warns the problem is fuelling anxiety, behavioural issues, and school refusal across South Australia.
“We are seeing more children who cannot self-regulate, cannot problem-solve, and feel overwhelmed by everyday challenges,” says Dr Sheppard, “Schools are asking for resilience, but parents have never been shown how to actually build it.”
Key Findings
Independence Gap
Parents of children aged 8-16 report struggling to balance freedom and safety, with many unsure how to develop independence without risking harm. There is a common theme emerging: “I don’t know how to give my child freedom without losing control.”
Resilience Deficit
Children aged 8-10 are increasingly described as “giving up easily”, lacking persistence and confidence. These deficits are emerging as early as primary school, placing more pressure on classrooms and families.
Anxiety Epidemic
Parents describe children feeling “overwhelmed”, “shutting down”, and experiencing heightened anxiety during school transitions, particularly at the start of the academic year.
Parents Are Feeling Unsupported
Many parents report being told by schools to “build resilience”, but they are not receiving any practical guidance on how to do so. One parent stated, “We’re being told resilience is important, but no one shows us how to teach it from a practical sense.”
Dr Sheppard says the issue has serious long-term implications.
“Children who struggle with confidence and carry high anxiety are more likely to be targeted by bullies. Independence is more than a life skill; it is a protective factor for mental health.”
He says early intervention is critical.
“This is a public health issue, not just a parenting issue. If we don’t act early, we are setting children up for anxiety disorders, disengagement from school, and long-term mental health challenges.”
As South Australia schools return for Term 1, the findings highlight an urgent need for practical, evidence-based parenting support to prevent anxiety and behavioural issues before they escalate.
Positive Parenting’s latest book, Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children, provides age-appropriate strategies to build emotional resilience through healthy independence.
Author:
Dr Terence Sheppard
Paediatric Psychologist, Adelaide
Author of Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children
