His comments came as he launched an inquiry into the quality ofchildhood, sparked by a recent Unicef report claiming Britain was theworst wealthy country in the developed world for children to grow up in(Children Now, 14-20 February).
Led by shadow education secretary David Willetts, the review will lookfor ways to strengthen families, encourage more flexible working and cutchild poverty. It will examine the issues raised in the Unicef reportand will give its findings in the autumn.
Cameron has pledged legislation to strengthen rules surrounding childmaintenance, compelling fathers to stand by their responsibilities, andan audit of the welfare system to encourage families to staytogether.
But schools, employers and local authorities can only do so much and themost important responsibility rests with parents, he said. "Allowingharmful behaviour as the price of a quiet life is grossly selfish andirresponsible. We need to say no. If a child is eating too much, it isthe duty of the parent to stop that happening."
