Best thing in the World

[mmcd3182]

Being a celebrity is the 'best thing in the world' say children
The Daily Mail
Last updated at 17:49pm on 18th December 2006
Robbie Williams


Children under 10 think being a celebrity is the "very best thing in the world" but do not think quite as much of God, a survey has revealed.

The poll of just under 1,500 youngsters ranked "God" as their tenth favorite thing in the world, with celebrity, "good looks" and being rich at one, two and three respectively.

It is the second year running that God has come in at number 10 in the annual survey for National Kids' Day, but being rich came top last time around.

God did come top again this year as the most famous "person" in the world, beating US President George Bush into second place.

Meanwhile "killing" and "wars" head the list of the "very worst things in the world", followed by drunks, bullies, illness, smoking, stealing, divorce and being fat. Dying is in tenth place.

The research, carried out through schools and online, was by Luton First, sponsors and organizers of yesterday's National Kids' Day.

Asked what rules they would make if they were king or queen of the world, the number one response from the under-10s was to ban knives and guns.

They would also put a stop to fighting and killing, telling lies, drugs, bullying, drunks, and smoking.

The children who answered the survey would also put a stop to stealing, but wanted more holidays and more hospitals.

Just over three quarters of the youngsters said they would probably marry later in life, although 21% gave a definite "No".

Most of them want to have children with most opting for one or two.

When asked how much money was needed to be rich, the children quoted figures ranging from $2 million to $20 million - down on 2005 when the range was $9 million to $400 million.

For most of the children questioned, Saturday remains the best day of the week.

Although God comes in as the tenth most famous person in the world, Jesus is at number four and Father Christmas at five.

Also in the top ten were Madonna, the Queen, Tony Blair and X-Factor stars Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne.

Wayne Rooney and David Beckham, who were in the top four in 2005, did not make the top ten this year.

Patricia Murchie of Luton First said: "The idea of the special Kids' Day is to give pre-teens a national voice for their opinions in a very simple format.

"This particular age group has some very clear ideas on how the world could be changed for the better but are very rarely given the opportunity to express them."

Here is a sample of some of the survey's results: What do you think is the very best thing in the world?

1. Being a Celebrity
2. Good Looks
3. Being Rich
4. Being Healthy
5. Pop Music
6. Families
7. Friends
8. Nice Food
9. Watching Films
10. Heaven/God

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

[mmcd3182]

Makes you think about where most people put their values -- this survey was done in the UK, which is heavily influenced by US pop culture as is the rest of the world.

It just shows you how the focus on celebrities and their personal lives has really changed values in many people's lives. I think that as time goes on, this list will show more and more true as a reflection of what people truly value in life. It's sad. Not because a nice afterlife and God made the bottom of the top 10 list, but because of the materialistic and selfish things that were at the top.

What do you think of this article and survey?

[brown_eyed_girl]

This is pretty sad, but also very true. The media has a lot to do with kids and their insecurities these days. Not only kids, but many adults too!

[demopolite]

This is why I believe in corporal punishment.

Daughter: "Mommy, Paris Hilton is so cool!"
Mommy: ---SMACK!!!!---








(just kidding, by the way, before I get ripped for being abusive! )

[mmcd3182]

	Quote:	demopolite
	This is why I believe in corporal punishment. Daughter: "Mommy, Paris Hilton is so cool!" Mommy: ---SMACK!!!!---

LMAO!

you show her! Paris Hilton will become the new cuss word...

[annabelle]

Just this morning I had the conversation with my 11yr old about the music he and his friends want to listen to. (I deleted a bunch of songs off his MP3 player and phone) The media is selling these kids money, fame, and sex are the most important things in life. I told him God gave him and his brother to his father and I to protect from evil and teach to fight against evil until they were old enought to do the do the same for themselves. The world makes it so hard for us to keep them "children".

[mmcd3182]

What'd you do when your parents took away your records or tapes or CDs?

just borrowed one from a friend and made another copy :-)

Everyone has been doing this forever. The more you keep away, the more you drive them towards the things you delete and take away.

[annabelle]

Well, I also have to believe if he is told WHY it may make a difference. I was not really told why just "Young ladies do not do that"

Or you know we could go the other way and do as some other people I know have and said I will let him make his own decisions (at 11yrs old) and he will turn out like the world....i am sorry that is not what I want for my child.

[Red Neck Biker]

Well this does not amaze or startle me in the least. As Im sure the most that see this post has read the bible or heard through our lives that the world will wax worse and worse.Its all Bible, and comming true day by day.

[Red Neck Biker]

I just thought about something you know we as teenagers probably would have answerewd the survey close to the same, the catch is we grew up and see things through different eyes now. Just to br fair to our children.