News
04/03/2008
Does childhood really stop at age 11?
Former Children's Laureate, Dame Jacqueline Wilson yesterday claimed that young people are growing up too quickly. The best-selling author made an impassioned appeal on BBC Radio 4 arguing that young people are under pressure from peers to take on adult habits, responsibilities and attitudes too soon.
While acknowledging that young people today may no longer be interested in 'the picnics and lashings ginger beer' of her youth, they should not feel they need to have 'five ear piercings' to fit in. A study conducted by her publisher Random House indicates that 55% of parents consider that childhood ends somewhere around the age of 12.
The Scout Association now offers challenge and adventure for young people from 6-25 - having extended its youth provision beyond the age of 20 in 2002 with the Scout Network.
While each of its age ranges offers unique challenges - from a visit to a Fire Station for a six year old, to a trip to Kenya to help rebuild schools for an 18 year old - Scouting respects the right of young people to grow and develop at their own pace.
Sian Parton was one of the first girls to join her Scout Group: 'I was 11 at the time and joined at the first opportunity because I wanted more adventurous things to do.
'All the boys in my Troop were brilliant and really looked out for us. What we have in common is that we want to make new friends, do things we hadn't done before and get the most out of being young.'
Do you agree?
Is Dame Jacqueline correct? Are the young people in your Section or Group under pressure from their peers? Do they take on adult responsiblities too soon? Or does your experience show she's wrong? Let us know by emailing web.team@scout.org.uk
Share your adventures at www.kidsoutdoors.com - the campaign to inspire a million new outdoor adventures in 2008 and beyond.
