Do you think it's fair to make children work for a living?

I think there is two ways of thinking about this, I believe in letting kids be kids as I was brought up, I had a wonderful childhood except the school part of it, but me being such a shy kid with no self confidence sometimes I think to have done a little bit of work as maybe young teens do may have helped me, I guess I grew up thinking I couldn't really do anything, it was just in my latter years that I got out there and thought I can do anything I want so today at the wrong end of the life span I am doing the things I should have been doing when I was young.

If I had a child who had an acting talent or could sing or play an instrunment I would let them persue a career in it if they wanted it. I wouldent push them into it I would just encourage them if it was something they wanted to do.

If there were no pushy Hollywood parents the world would have missed out on a lot of sweet baby to teen stars. However, that doesn't mean I agree with what some parents put their children through, pushing them with rehearsal and auditions one after another, yelling to correct the way they do things, etc. You know what? If they have natural enough talent they won't need correction. My son the drummer is 16 now. He's been playing for two years and he has a natural talent. He also passionately loves music and appreciates all kinds. He has taught himself to listen to percussion not just in rock or pop or jazz but also in country and classical. He doesn't need to be pushed. I do boast and encourage him to show off though. Keep your eye on the drummer... See him play at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ0bU75iWfw

Our children are so talented. I am not sure I would or could stop them The chances of them being a hud=ge star are outrageosly slim. I could take the risk. This of course with hinsight. My children thought they would change the world, but they didn't. They seem to be just as dull as th majority of 20 somethings who have earn a living"

Definitely not! I wouldn't dream of making my little son work for a living. Parents who push their kids into that kind of a thing are extremely selfish. They have, in fact, robbed their child of his/her childhood and have pushed them out into a very materialistic world. Its highly unfair. If the child wants to perform on one odd occasion just for his/her own pleasure, its a different matter. Let the child enjoy his/her childhood. Childhood and adolescence are for playing and studying, for building a strong foundation and character. There's enough time in one's lifetime to earn money later on.

I would let my child do whatever she wanted to do...just completely leave the decision up to her. If she was serious about wanting to persue a career, I would have to let her.

If they had the talent and the looks to go with it then I would certainly let them go on the stage or into films. It is great fun. If you are worried that you or your child can't handle money then either let the child do the jobs for no money or give the money away to charity. From experience, the biggest problem is stopping the child getting big headed. They will be surrounded by lovies saying how wonderful they are all day long and the danger is that after a time they might believe it. That is when a good parent becomes crucial - to keep them on an even keel.

See no body knows what is going to happen in future,no body knows whether they will succed or not..! So some likes to live on safer side of life and some prefers to live on edge and rist it all..!! I must say if your kid is really that passionate about music or dance any talent then you should always support your kid to ascend him in that field only..!! Because that thing will be what exactly he wants, what he need in his life and lastly that will make him HAPPY and satisfied..!! And that will be a true happiness..!! Your first priority should be your kid's "passion" in his life. In my case I have a double mind personality in this way I just can't decide what I exactly want from my life..!!So in my case I'll just carry on with my studies and earn some good amount of money proudly but its not that I'am not talented I am very good in singing but I can't sing for whole of my life I just do it for my hobbie..!! In your case atleast you know what your kid's "passion" is, if it is really his "passion" then you should never obstruct in his way towards his talent rather spend your time in finding out how to tackle the negative aspects of this feild as career..!! thats a better option. You are the BEST judge.

When my son was at school I used to work there as a volunteer. I saw a great many *pushy* parents in my time there. The mum who insisted her little girl was the next Oscar-winning actress, the Dad who was certain his son would eclipse David Beckham. It appeared to me that the kids were miserable and just wanted to enjoy themselves rather than be pushed into what their parents insisted they do. You only have to see the way so many *child* actors have turned out to realise that it is probably better to let your children be children, and if they chose to follow a path that takes them to fame, then at least let them make that choice for themselves

Everything has a limit and for a kid they have a limit and beyond that it gets out of their head. When somebody is given a task to handle which is beyond his capicity they will always end up doing something unwise or stupid and this is the picture that we see today in the hollywood industry. They were normal kids but when they reached the zenith they could not handle it as they were too young. So, everything has a limit and the parents are the ones this should be taken care off.

Hi. No I dont think its wrong for a child to do work... I have two children and they know they have to do there chores, for pocket money... In our minds, this teaches our children that things in life dont come free and they know this, and are quiet happy to do there little chores for there weekly pocket money... It also teaches them to be greatful and not to be lazy...

No, I wouldn't. Kids thrown into the spotlight too young and before they have a choice in the matter are put under so much pressure and lose so much of their childhood. If my child had a special talent, I would do all I could to help her develop it as she grew but she would get her education and a childhood and if when she got older she wanted to pursue those talents it would be her choice. Kids have to learn how to be themselves and do have rights. Let the child decide whether or not they want their special talent to be a hobby or a career move once they are old enough to make that decision.

I think child is still child. Although they have lots of talent in musician and acting, they still deserve the childhood period. After all, it is the precious part of them. The parents can lead, train and educate them. Finally, it's still their decision. On the other side, children can get strong confidence if they realize their outstanding. Parents can let them take some shows and events that will still be greatful. In my opinion, god creates us and provides everyone the same opportunity to have the life in the world.

i think earning is not the goal of it

If THEY really wanted to do it then I would consider it but I would have to keep a tight reign on who they hang around with and what they do. This stuff of going to bars and drinking at 12 is just ridiculous. These parents who let there kids do these kinds of things need to get a serious grip on their parenting skills. Education would be a priority.

I am strongly against this. I will never allow my children to do work for our living. May be I have less money but there is peace to live with children and make them work is not at all good. They can work when they are properly educated and established and then their contribution is a love to the family.

that's a very interesting post. i think that if my kid in the future would dream of becoming someone famous, then there's nothing wrong with supporting him/her and just being there a hundred percent. but that dream has to belong to the kid, not the parents. you only go thru childhood once so a parent should see to it that the kid cherishes this and grows up real well. i believe in entrusting simple household chores to kids to teach them how to be responsible. but letting the kid be responsible for the entire household would be entirely wrong.