IS LIFE EASIER AS A CHILD?

Jay Biggs · Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 8

Well Booster friends....like everything else in life it all boils down to perspective, experience and environment. It's all relative. According to UNICEF an estimated 158 million children aged 5-14 are engaged in child labor that's one in six children in the world. And it's not just paper routes; we're talking risky business like working in mines, working with chemicals, and dangerous machinery.

Personally I can tell you that, I had an exciting and peaceful childhood. I don't remember having any stress at all. But if I told you I saw my neighbor jump out of his 6th story apartment, or that I was chased by a man with a shiny blade down the alley next to my building in NY, or that one day I came home from school and my bags where packed with a plane ticket out of the country, new school, new teacher, new country. Or that for most of my childhood I was with one not both parents at the same time, you would think I had a miserable childhood. Yet somehow, not only did I turn out ok, but I am so grateful for all of my experiences at such a young age.

All in all, I think that in theory children should have it easier, if their parents are able to provide the young ones with what they need to have a safe, healthy, happy childhood. It just isn't always the case.

I think the fundamental difference between Adults and Children in terms of having it easier is consciousness. As adults, we are aware of certain risks and dangers some very real and palpable, other self imposed or created, but the effect is the same. Responsibilities combined with this awareness makes for a challenging adult life for many.

The fact that many children, even those going through hardships live an "easier life" than an adult going through hardships is that, children especially younger ones, still believe in Santa Clause; they still believe, that someday they will be an astronaut and rise above everything they are presently living that makes them unhappy. As adults we get consumed by a system that says reality is what has already been outlined for you or people "like" you. So, as we get deeper into adulthood, we loose that childlike confidence and fearlessness. We lose hope. Therefore our everyday life has an elevated level of stress. Responsibilities, feel like burdens, and not gifts some of them really are.

So, maybe I haven't really answered the question. But I don't think there is ONE answer. In some cases children do have it easier, in others adults do. Your individual experience and how you interpret them will determine that.

jigyasa · Joined: 27 Sep 2008 Posts: 6

I have always wondered the same thing too. Life as a kid was happier and better. But lately, I have realized that despite all the stress and work load of an adult, you can still be free like a child some times. All you need is the will to do so. Let your hair down some times and try making the most of every moment. And adulthood would be just as pleasant. Smile

cbflsurf · Joined: 27 Sep 2008 Posts: 5

I think that you can be a kid and grow up at the same time, but not to much of a kid. Ya know? There's a difference between being immature and having a little bit of childish fun.

I myself still go to arcades, surf, and play video games. I've grown up as well though. I hold a steady job and have a family. You just have to know when its time to get serious about things.

iNSOLANE · Joined: 28 Sep 2008 Posts: 5

In my opinion it can be harder, depends what you work.

I think if you get teased, beaten and other things like that in School, yeah, probably worse than working in an office.

MasterPuppets206 · Joined: 28 Sep 2008 Posts: 8

Ginia · Joined: 28 Sep 2008 Posts: 5

Of course childhood is better or easier tha adulthood. I mean of course that all depends on what type of parents you had. Because if you were a child who was being abused all his life, then I wouldn't think that it was easier. BUT if you had good parents who took care of you then I would think that childhood was way more easier than adulthood. This is what I tell my kids. I Want them to stay kids because once you aren adult, there is no turning back and you have so many responsibilities.

melodi · Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 5

There are times when I do think back about when I was a child. Life was simple then, however the lives that the children of today's world are maturing at a faster rate, and they have not much of a life... Well, at least from where I come from. Children (majority) are thrown into the world of books, studying and memorizing the moment they are born, Their time is being taken up by extra lessons (for piano, ballet, mathematics, arts etc..) - one after the after. They hardly seem to have anytime to breathe.

It almost makes me glad that I'm not a child anymore. lol There's a time and season for everything, and in the end it all works out. Smile

LeighA · Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

Although I am not sure I would go back if I could being a child is definitely easier than being an adult. There are no responsibilities, no job, no bills...ah those were the days.

Solaine · Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Posts: 9

Depends. But probably it's easier as a child.
More fun, almost no responsibility, hanging with friends.
It can make school much worse if you get teased.

Myndtrick · Joined: 03 Oct 2008 Posts: 9

I think the balance between being a child and a grown up is the teenage period. As a child you always want to grow up faster to experience more things than you already are.

jmsutton · Joined: 07 Oct 2008 Posts: 5

I think life is a lot easier as a kid due to the following reasons. First off you don't have to worry about anything hardly at all nothing is insanely stressful and its nice. Another reason is that nothing to great is expected from us. We can go day by day and not have to worry to much about the future and what am i doing to prepare for it. On a side note its easier but in my opinion not more fun. Think of not being able to drive hang out whenever you wanted and other stuff you couldn't do as a kid.

Dobrich · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 7

I agree on a subject.
Why? Ypu understand world on a completely different level, so comparing adult understanding versus child one? second is definetely easier.

ri0thex · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 10

Ofcourse things are easier as a child, you don't have to pay bills or anything like that. You have no worries or anything, you get the ability to just play all day using your imagination.

Duckwaters · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 8

Things are easier as a child, in my opinion, because you have the attention of your parents, relatives, etc. I suppose that makes things easy. But I find that things really start to get fun as you grow older. There are loads of things you can do when you are older, that you can't do when you are an infant.

tnok85 · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 8

I'd say it was a lot easier to be a kid... more fun? I don't know. More care free, yeah.

I have a lot of fun as an adult. I get to do what I want with my free time. Granted, I have less free time than I did when I was a kid, but basically anything I can think of, I can do if I have the resources.

So, yes, easier to be a kid. More fun to be an adult. Smile