carers
child carers
childrens rights
disabled
family
lost childhood
mentally ill
parents
responsibilities
12 Years Old And Looking After The Family!
@ItTakesAllSorts (4096)
February 5, 2007 7:10pm CST
Is it right for a child to be responsible for looking after their family.
Between 20,000 - 50,000 children under 18 years old and as young as 8 years old in the UK are caring for disabled or mentally ill parents.
Are the rights of children being abused when they are expected to do this.
They have lost their one chance of being a child and having their parents care for them.
In some cases disabled parents have children to ensure they have someone to look after them.
Do you feel this is fair?
What do you think, or have you been through this yourself.
Check out this website.
http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/F/family/21st/carers.html
1 person likes this
1 response
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
6 Feb 07
It's odd you say 12 years old because that was the age I did take over the care and running of my home. Through tragic events, I ended up taking care of my mother, my baby brother as well as all the responsibilities that came along with a house, such as cleaning, cooking and mailing out the bills. To be honest I didn’t really have the time to be angry over it or to feel as if I was missing out on my childhood. Looking back I think I have it a lot more together now than most my age, at least my friends anyway and I think it was from my childhood experiences I can credit to this.
Would I allow a child so young to take on so much, no. I would do what I could to help if not avoid it all together. Why? Out of the pity I reckon, kids should be kids as long as they can be. However, I cannot say the actions of children doing so would be negative on them in the long run.
@ItTakesAllSorts (4096)
•
6 Feb 07
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Its interesting to read about other peoples lives and how they have succeeded.
Cheers!!
