This page brings together AffectionPlus’s documentary monitoring on “Family”: scientific studies and academic publications first, followed by recent news items and posts spotted on social media.
To read our full guides, practical dossiers and detailed answers on this topic, visit the Family section or return to the Stay up to date overview.
Scientific studies, clinical trials and systematic reviews published in international literature on this topic.
— A study in Personality and Individual Differences involving 513 young adults in the United States and Turkey shows that perceived parental narcissism—especially vulnerable narcissism—is linked to higher depressive symptoms in adulthood through family enmeshment and reduced psychological flexibility.
— A study in Violence Against Women involving 896 young adults shows that while 76% had an opportunity to intervene as bystanders in non-consensual intimate image sharing, only 33% stepped in. Meanwhile, France's 2026 e-Enfance / 3018 Barometer reports that 32% of 6–18-year-olds have faced cyberbullying and 25% turn to AI chatbots for help.
— Published on 28 October 2026 in the European Journal of Population, a longitudinal study in the Netherlands following first-time parents shows that an unplanned pregnancy is associated with a 19% higher risk of parental separation before the child turns five, even after accounting for age, income and marital status.
Recent news, legal developments and institutional announcements on this topic, summarised with their date and source.
— Criminal charges brought by the Los Angeles County District Attorney against an Arcadia couple accused of child abuse involving more than 20 surrogate-born children—featured in a Sky News investigation on 1 November 2026—have highlighted the lack of background checks and limits on intended parents in California, in stark contrast to European judicial safeguards.
— On 29 October 2026, the French Senate voted 252 to 80 in favour of a bill abolishing the criminal statute of limitations for sexual and incestuous crimes committed against minors. Currently set at 30 years after the victim reaches adulthood (age 48, with a sliding limitation mechanism), the time limit would be removed if the National Assembly passes the bill.
— During the first reading of the 2027 Finance Bill on 29 October 2026, French MPs passed an amendment exempting child maintenance payments received by custodial parents from income tax up to €4,000 per child (€12,000 annual cap), while keeping the tax deduction for the paying parent (NosParlementaires, 29 October 2026).
— At the ECD Leadership Summit, the education minister reported progress in registering early childhood programmes. Initial Bronze registration and completed Silver or Gold compliance remain different stages; registration figures alone do not establish that every programme has completed compliance.
— In issue 474 of La Santé en action, Santé publique France reports that one in two people catch up on the news or watch videos at bedtime, and one in three do so during meals. The report also covers parents' technoference, children's screen time (the Enabee study) and the regulatory framework for the 2026 school year.
— The education department described a proposed ECD reform at a parliamentary briefing. Its account concerns the preparation of a Bill, not a new registration regime already in force.
— The Mpumalanga High Court considered the applicants’ customary context alongside the Children’s Act when confirming their agreement. The decision concerns the particular family and does not create a blanket exception to the statutory surrogacy requirements.
— The ONPE survey published on 21 July 2026 counts 5,753 wards of the State on 31 December 2024, up 11% in one year. Only 1,089 of them, about 19%, are placed with a view to adoption, against nearly 40% ten years earlier (ONPE, 2026).
— Since 1 July 2026, each parent of a child adopted on or after 1 January 2026 may request additional birth leave of one or two months, on top of adoption leave. In the private sector it is paid at 70% of capped net salary for the first month and 60% for the second, and must begin within 9 months of the child's arrival (Service-public.fr, 2026).
— Regulation (EU) 2026/1818, signed on 17 June 2026, sets minimum welfare standards for breeding, sales and shelters, regulates online advertisements and will eventually require a microchip and registration for all dogs and cats, including those of private owners. It applies from 31 August 2028; for private owners who do not place their animals on the market (no sale, no donation advertised online or made regularly), this regulation will only require identification in 2036 for dogs and in 2041 for cats.
— The Supreme Court of Appeal clarified the duty to investigate dependants and nominees under section 37C. The reference to 12 months is not an automatic expiry of a dependant’s rights or a guarantee that payment will be completed within that period.
— The social development committee questioned the department’s revised timetable and called for faster progress. The announced schedule was a planning forecast, not a legislative commencement date.
Posts and videos from institutions, media, specialists and AffectionPlus spotted right now on social media.
— Economist and parenting author Emily Oster says children's body clocks follow light and dark, so a small bedtime shift may help but there is no need to overthink it. She notes that most kids adjust within a short time.
Instagram · @profemilyoster
— Australia's National Children's Commissioner responds to reports of violence in childcare settings and calls for consistent national standards and coordinated action. The post stresses that families should be able to trust the care their children receive.
LinkedIn · Australian Human Rights Commission
— In this Child Mind Institute podcast clip, family therapy experts Molly Bobek and Dr. Aaron Hogue from Partnership to End Addiction explain why curious, nonjudgmental dialogue outperforms lecture-style risk warnings in preventing teen substance use. Keeping communication safe and supportive encourages adolescents to disclose pressures early rather than hiding experimentation.
Instagram · @thrivingkidspod
— A hospital health account describes gentle parenting as helping children recognise their emotions and behaviour while keeping boundaries clear and consistent.
X · @ClevelandClinic
— Psychology Today highlights the emotional toll on people who look after their parents and their children at the same time, especially with a history of parentification. The post links to an article with coping strategies.
X · @PsychToday
— A reel from a psychology professor who went back to the research to sort through conflicting discipline advice, explaining what the studies say about time-outs.
Instagram · @profemilyoster
— The UK national charity Adfam highlights its dedicated remote support service connecting partners, parents, and carers with a professional support worker to cope with a loved one's drug, alcohol, or gambling problem. Structured one-to-one sessions help affected family members reduce isolation, establish boundaries, and rebuild household stability.
LinkedIn · Adfam
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Text written with the help of AI, under the editorial responsibility of CAPIT. Human reviews are occasional (method: About). Spotted an error? Write to us.
