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Motherhood in Western Europe

Insights from Western European Mothers

The changing face of motherhood — Western Europe

The accompanying reports combine a review of existing literature with an analysis of original quantitative data derived from a poll of 9,582 mothers from 12 countries in Western Europe, making it one of the largest studies of this kind ever conducted

Child Obesity and Health

An analysis of the latest available data from the Health Survey for England (HSE)

Child Obesity and Health — download the full report in pdf format

In this ‘National Childhood Obesity Week’, the SIRC report, Children, obesity and heath: Recent trends, holds up a true mirror, accurately reflecting the trend towards slimmer, healthier children. more

The Future of Freemasonry

An examination of the role of Freemasonry in the 21st century

Freemasonry

This report is, as far as we know, an account of the first ever study that has been commissioned by Freemasons from a non-Masonic body. None of the SIRC members involved in the project are Freemasons, a fact that evoked surprise and welcome in equal measure from the Lodge members we met. more

The Changing Face of Motherhood

Insights from three generations of mothers

Motherhood

The report seeks to answer some specific questions about the changing face of motherhood and determine the extent to which modern ‘solutions’ to motherhood are more or less beneficial than the solutions of the past. more

Lukewarm response to 'non-science' GM ban

The media response to Tesco's banning of crops grown on former GM trial sites has been decidedly lukewarm. Only the Daily Mail gave it prominence. Most other papers did not report the story, while those that did (Guardian, Express) were careful to include the Government's comments to the effect that this was a "marketing stunt" with no basis in science. Even Tesco has admitted that the new policy is "not about science but the perception of science."

In defence of the decision, Tesco say that their customers "are confused and concerned about the GM issue." The media seem largely unimpressed by this argument, perhaps wondering how a ban with no scientific justification will help to reduce confusion or alleviate concern.

Tesco's motives for this move may well be entirely laudable, but given the sceptical response, other supermarket chains may prefer to gain their customers' confidence with policies based on reliable scientific evidence.