THE image of teenagers as obnoxious and grumpy is far from a truthful reflection of modern youth, according to research published today.

Constant temper tant-rums and fights with parents are mainly confined to media stereotypes such as Harry Enfield's TV character Kevin and his friend Perry.

Today's youngsters are appreciative and have positive relationships with their parents, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The results come from two pieces of research carried out on behalf of the charity by Oxford Brookes and Lancaster universities.

Jane Ribbens McCarthy, co-author of the Oxford Brookes report, said: "Although our study highlights the contradictions and complexity in modern family life, we were impressed by how little the young people or their parents conformed to the stereotypes that are so often paraded about teenage years.

"The accounts we collected suggest that being a teenager, or the parent of one, is not necessarily as traumatic as we're often led to expect.

"Unlike Harry Enfield's comic creation, many young people really do appreciate what their parents have to offer."

The Oxford Brookes' report shows that most parents and children they interviewed described their family relationship in positive terms. However, tensions existed between parents' concerns for their children and the teenagers' desires for privacy.

The Lancaster University research interviewed 57 families. Their results showed that girls enjoyed talks with their mothers. Fathers were regarded as the family disciplinarian.