英国儿童成熟太快 童年11岁终结
儿童普遍早熟已成当代社会之忧。儿童图书出版商兰登出版公司对英国近1200名有18岁以下孩子的父母展开调查，结果显示，55%的人认为现在孩子的童年时期在11岁就宣告终结。
The increasing freedoms enjoyed by young kids mean childhood is now finished by the age of 11, a survey of British parents suggests.
The survey of almost 1,200 parents with children aged under 18, conducted by children’s book publisher Random House, found more than half parents believe children are “young adults” by the time they go to secondary school.
Parents admit it is because their children are desperate* to keep up with their peers*.
Little girls are growing up faster, disliking dolls from the age of 6 in favor of pierced* ears, dyed hair and make-up.
Despite Britain having the highest teenage pregnancy* rate in Europe, nearly half of parents say they allow their 16-year-old children to spend the night at a boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s house.
And almost three-quarters of parents let their children drink alcohol at home before the legal age of 18 or watch an 18-certificate film*.
The majority of parents also admit their children often go against their wishes.
And they agree that they are far softer on their children than their own parents were.
However, many adults feel parents are wrong to let their children grow up so quickly — a view backed by Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
The 62-year-old popular children’s author said: “I know girls are desperate to look cool but I wish they didn’t all want to wear very high heels and inappropriately* tight trendy* clothes.
“I’m not saying all under-12s should wear puff-sleeved* dresses and little white socks, but at least you could run about and play properly in them.
“And it seems so sad that girls feel embarrassed* if they want to play with dolls past the age of 6.”
Wilson urged parents to be stubborn* in not giving in to their children’s unreasonable demands.
(SD-Agencies)
desperate adj. 不顾一切的
peer n. 同伴
pierced adj. 穿耳洞的
pregnancy n. 怀孕
18-certificate film 限制级电影
inappropriately adv. 不合适地
trendy adj. 时髦的
puff-sleeved adj. 泡泡袖的
embarrassed adj. 尴尬的
stubborn adj. 坚持的
