Our worried children

[dnp52td]

Our worried children

By Clair Weaver

July 30, 2006 12:00

AUSTRALIAN children are experiencing more worry, stress and sadness than ever before, according to a new study.

Instead of being the most carefree time of life, their childhood is being marred by insecurity and fears for the future.

Developing cancer, facing terrorism and falling victim to crime were the biggest concerns of children who participated in the research for the Australian Childhood Foundation.

More than three-quarters believed they had to grow up faster than children of the past, with 62 per cent indicating they did not believe they would be better off than previous generations.

Sue Leitch, deputy principal at Eastwood Public School, believes today's children are less protected from the darker side of reality.

"I think children are more worried these days because the frequency of violence is greater,'' she said.

"Our schools are so multicultural so trouble spots from all over the world affect them personally.

"They see everything so graphically on TV and I think they do genuinely worry about their safety.''

She told how parents had been concerned when their children asked to go to the doctor fearing they had the symptoms of cancer after a school fundraising drive for charity CanTeen.

Another pupil had been reduced to tears because he had not met family expectations to achieve a high distinction in an exam, she said.

"We have got to be more aware of what they might be worrying about,'' she added.

"They have got so much pressure to do well in the school system too.''

Eastwood student Amit Dharamdasani, nine, said said he didn't worry much "except when my grandmother went away for six months and there were bombs''.

Classmate Gemma Black, 10, said she felt sorry for people in war zones and sometimes worried about her school work.

The study showed that while 84 per cent of children felt happy in the preceding month, 53 per cent also felt worried, half felt stressed and 45 per cent felt sad.

Family was the most important thing in life for 87 per cent and parents topped the list of role models.

Children have retained a firm belief in authority, with doctors, police and teachers earning their confidence.

To tackle childhood problems and help prevent child abuse, the Australian Children's Foundation is launching Become A Childhood Hero month for August.

Home and Away actors Kate Ritchie and Chris Hemsworth are fronting the campaign as celebrity Childhood Hero champions.

Ritchie said she had been inspired to join the campaign by Hemsworth, whose father worked in child protection.

Of the study's findings she said: "I thought, 'hang on a second when did being a kid become so stressful?'

"We just want to raise awareness and let people know how important it is to be someone's hero.''

[Traceve]

Thanks for posting that, Its sad to hear that AUSTRALIAN children are experiencing more worry, stress and sadness than ever before

[-Kelly-]

Thanks for that

[jack4martha_forever]

Thanks for that. And its so true. My cousin is 11 and she is alwayz stressing over silly little class tests and stuff, and im just like dude your in year 6 live life and stop stressing. Your young you have all of high school to stress But im glad Kate and Chris are helping out with this

[loveangelmusicbaby]

I was born a worry wart! I don't think the current world events is making children's lives any easier.

[xsamie]

It is soooo great what Kate and Chris are doing, i really admire them for it