Children matter (5)
I believe the answer is:
issue
This clue is a double definition.
'children' is the first definition.
(issue can mean someone's offspring)
'matter' is the second definition.
(I know that matter can be written as issue)
(Other definitions for issue that I've seen before include "Argument" , "Kids" , "Major topic for debate" , "Debate topic; flow out" , "Regular publication" .)