Childhood

As your Children's Story writing draws to a close, consider that people haven't always felt the same way about children as we do now. The idea that childhood is a special time and that a child's innocence should be protected largely originated with the Victorians. Before that, children were sent to work in factories as soon as they were old enough, often working 10 hour days at the age of 7 or 8. Chimney Sweeps used to employ even younger children since they could be dangled from a rope and used to knock soot and highly carcinogenic coal dust out of chimneys. By the time these young people reached the ripe old age of 15 or 16 they were adults for all intents and purposes.Now, as a society, we have reached a point where we try to insulate children from the more unpleasant and laborious aspects of life but we have also delayed adulthood for many. Some "children" (perhaps you know some?) continue to live in their parents' basements until their late twenties. What do you think? How much (and from what) should children be protected? How well are we handling this issue now as a society? What kind of childhood will you try to create for your own offspring? What expectations will you have? What are some of the most valuable experiences and lessons from your own childhood that you will try to pass on to the next generation?

It is true, children live in their parents basements until their late 20's. But I don't think that this has anything to do with protection. I think that as children we are taught so much and so little all at the very same time. Personally my child was fantastic, I was lucky enough to do so many things and learn so much all at the very same time. I had a loving family and they wanted nothing but the best for their children. Realistically I think any parents wants the best for their child. With this is mind, I find that adults try and shelter us so much without thinking about the stuff we hear at school. I learned so many things that I probably shouldn't have at such a young age but my parents were oblivious to this. Where as there are other children who literally know nothing and then once they enter highschool its culture schock times 400.

I think that children/adults stay home so long now because of ongoing fears. In todays society everything is so much different than it has been in the past. I love reading and part of the reason I love it so much is simply because I can fantasize about the world before you had to fear playing outside. Todays society is so much different, from a young age we can see that our parents worry over everything. It's a scary thought for your child to play outside, it frieghtening for your daughter to walk to her friends house alone. My dad tells me stories about how when he was younger him and his friends would play hide and go seek outside until around 2 in the morning. And by this he means through out a neighbourhood not one back yard but a full on neighbourhood. I remember the first time he told me this I was about 10 and my response was wow Daddy that sound like so much fun can I do that one day. His response was well it's a little different now Jenny, the people are much different and many don't want kids running around. Also I'm scared that someone might take you.

When he said those words "someone might take you" I was tramatized. As a young child I really didn't want to think about this. I think that people are trying to protect children from to much, and as a result they are scraing their children. A child is supposed to have the most care free life. But now there are children who won't even play with their brothers and sisters in their back yard.

For my own children I want them to be aware of whats around them but I would never want to scare them. As a parent I feel it would be my job to protect my children. Part of protection means to allow them to live with out worrying. I feel that it will be my job to worry, and that once their old enough they can know. I do not believe that parents telling their children stay by me or someone will take you is ethical. I think that just scares a child. You have no left your son or daughter to think everyone is out to get them. I don't personally feel that I should have a child whom is afraid of the world. I would want my son or daughter to know how to explore or learn from their surroundings, but the way people are teaching their children there is no more joy in exploration. When at a play ground the child is fearing talking to other children. I think that we need to tone it down a little and let kids be kids. Yes, they do need to be safe but as a parent it is your job to handle that task. Teach them things like not to talk to a stranger when their alone. But another child should never be considered a stranger unless you want to have an antisocial psychopathic child!

I learned alot from my own childhood, and I think that is why I can say how I want my child to be raised. I want my own children to have a childhood such as I did, with innocence and freedom but yet a slight knowledge of the potential dangers within our society.