14 DAY TRIAL // Where, 25 years ago, children dreamed of becoming teachers, doctors or pilots, today’s young ones have different aspirations. They want to become celebrities, pop or sports stars in particular, mostly by the model they see on television in the ever-so-popular talent competitions, a new study reveals, as cited by The Telegraph.
A “seismic shift” in terms of aspirations has occurred in the space of only one generation, a new study conducted in the UK indicates. Not only are children no longer attracted to what one may call traditional professions, but they are increasingly inclined to dream of becoming overnight stars, have money and lead a luxurious life, without even realizing that, for that too, a lot of talent and hard work are necessary.
The study was conducted on a batch of 3,000 British parents with children aged five to 11. Researchers first questioned the parents to find out the career dreams they had when they were children, and then moved on to analyze the answers the children gave. The differences were startling, to say the least, and are all explainable by the celebrity culture promoted by all media, researchers believe.
“Becoming a sports star like footballer Wayne Rooney is the top ambition of today’s pre-teens, the dream of 12 per cent. Close behind for 11 per cent – is following in the footsteps of X Factor winner Leona Lewis and making it big as a pop star. And the same number wants to be an actor or actress like Jude Law or Keira Knightley. A quarter of a century ago, by contrast, teaching was the top ambition the choice of 15 per cent then but just four per cent now. Next came a career in banking or finance (nine per cent) but, amid the crunch, the sector did not even make the top ten among today’s children.” the aforementioned publication writes of the findings of the study.
While there’s nothing wrong with dreaming of one being as famous and successful as David Beckham or Leona Lewis, it’s important for children to realize that nothing – not even fame – comes out of the blue. Laverne Antrobus, a child psychologist, underlines that it’s not the loss of traditional values that should be a reason for concern here, but the fact that children’s aspirations be realistic – which is where parents must step in to bring their offspring back to planet Earth, as they say.
“Children see footballers, pop stars and actors on TV and their lives look exciting, glamorous and fun. It is hard for them to realize that they are the end product of a lot of ingredients including talent and hard work. Wayne Rooney is not on the pitch at Old Trafford by chance. He has incredible talent, determination and has put in years of hard work. There is absolutely nothing wrong with children having big dreams but these have to be based on reality. Parents can think about why they did not achieve their own dreams to help their children to realize their talents. Perhaps they were not encouraged enough by their own parents.” Antrobus adds.