Wilson: 'Kids growing up too quickly'

Updated 15.46 Mon Mar 03 2008

Keywords: children, books, Jacqueline Wilson

One of the country's best-loved authors believes youngsters are growing up too quickly and the magic of childhood is being lost.

Dame Jacqueline Wilson, 62, who writes the popular Tracy Beaker books, also believes parents are giving into pester power too easily.

"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" - Jacqueline Wilson

According to a survey for Wilson's publishers, Random House Children's Books, teenagers are increasingly being allowed to drink alcohol, stay out late and sleep over at their boyfriend or girlfriend's house.

It found that parents are giving in to their children's pestering and allowing them adult freedoms earlier - in contrast with their own strict upbringings.

The survey discovered that 67 per cent of parents are worried about the company their children keep while 53 per cent of youngsters aged 16 and under are permitted to stay out past 11pm.

Meanwhile, the majority of under-18s are allowed to alcohol at home (71 per cent) while 72 per cent of parents confessed to giving their children a much easier ride than they received when they were the same age.

The former Children's Laureate, who was made a Dame in the New Year Honours List, said: "Nearly all the children in my books want to wear make-up and dye their hair and pierce their ears.

"Most of my fictional teenagers want to stay out as late as possible and drink alcohol. Because I write in the first person people often assume that this is my point of view - but I'm actually pretty strict and old-fashioned.

"I think children act like adults at an alarmingly early age. 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 and T-strap sandals (as I had to!) but at least you could run about and play properly in them."

Wilson went on: "I think it's good that we listen and want the best for our children nowadays, but perhaps we should remember that they are only children and need a little loving guidance."