One in Three Children Fear Earth Apocalypse
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- pjacobs51
- added this
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/04/kids-worry-about-environment.php
There's a new bogeyman lurking in the closet, and this one isn't imaginary. Us. One out of three children aged 6 to 11 fears that Ma Earth won't exist when they grow up, while more than half—56 percent—worry that the planet will be a blasted heath (or at least a very unpleasant place to live), according to a new survey.Commissioned by Habitat Heroes and conducted by Opinion Research, the telephone survey polled a national sample of 500 American preteens—250 males and 250 females.
On a sliding scale of anxieties, minority kids have it worst; 75 percent of black children and 65 percent of Hispanic children believe that the planet will be irrevocably damaged by the time they reach adulthood.
Interestingly enough, kids vex over the state of the planet, especially when it came to safe and clean air and water, regardless of any pro-environmental measures on the part of their parents. A staggering 95 percent of the children surveyed said their parents pitched in by recycling, using rechargeable batteries, and conserving water and electricity.
"We commissioned the survey as a result of my own childrens' experiences with the recent fires in Australia as they expressed much concern for both their safety and the planet’s,” said Sharon Lowe, founder of Habitat Heroes, in a press release. “While it is upsetting to hear how many children in the United States have expressed similar concerns, I am more committed than ever to help educate children around the globe in a way that is not scary to them.”
Other interesting findings
50 percent say that hurricanes and tornadoes are the natural disasters that scare them the most.
28 percent say that they fear animals, such as polar bears and penguins, will become extinct and disappear from the planet more than any other environmental concern.
Girls worry more
67 percent of girls ages 9-11 versus 60 percent of boys ages 9-11 worry that the earth won’t be as good a place to live when they're adults.
57% of girls ages 6-8 versus 43 percent of boys ages 6-8 worry that the earth won’t be as good a place to live when they're adults.
Urban kids are more anxious than suburban kids
59 percent of kids in metro areas are more concerned that the Earth won’t be as good a place to live when they grow up compared to non-metro kids (47 percent).
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- groups:
- News, Green, Apocalypse News
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- tags:
- News, Green, Environment, Children, 1 more
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Found_Avenue
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The title of this post is misleading. It actually points out the exact opposite mentality than what is seemingly being expressed by these kids.
It's NOT saying that the kids polled are super-religious freaks who fear the "apocalypse." It's saying that they are environmentally conscious enough to be aware, at a young age, of how the earth is being damaged at an alarming rate, and how it may not be in very good shape when they are grownups, thanks to the actions of previous generations...
- 10 months ago
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Found_Avenue
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chasingame
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One in Three Children Fear Earth Apocalypse The other two fear Dick Cheney!
Seriously! I would like to see the choices given in this survey.
Do you.....
A) Fear butterflies
B) Fear bunny rabbits
C) Fear Earth Apocalypse
Do kids really say "I Fear Earth Apocalypse" if you ask them what they are afraid of? Do they even know what it means? Most kids I know this age fear losing their cell phone or being seen with their parents in public. I am not saying that kids shouldn't be worried but are they really? Whatever, it is kind of an interesting topic either way. Maybe it should be properly researched. - 10 months ago
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chasingame
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el_chivo
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I used to think a lot about the end of the world when I was in school, and that was even before the internet!! Then I grow up and learn that the end of the world comes everyday for a lot of people in different parts of the world.
Also, my biggest natural fear was earthquakes; I saw a lot of minor earthquakes when I was a child. But ironically, I stop fearing in them when my dad almost dies in one.
- 10 months ago
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el_chivo
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vistapoint
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kind of sad, but each generation is shaped by its collective childhood fears...
- 10 months ago
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vistapoint
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gen468
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Absolutely bull shit.
You can get a child to say anything based on how you phrase the question.
Ask 1000 kids what they want to be when they grow up. Just a simple question no leading bull shit.
Every kid will tell you what they want to be when they grow up, not one will say I don’t think I will grow up before the world will end.
Yah ,scare the hell out of the kid then ask if all these bad things happen do you think it will result in the end of mankind.
Leave the kids out of this , let them enjoy being kids, they will have to face the real world soon enough. - 10 months ago
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gen468
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TheCutieCull
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gen468:
Well even if they dont, they should...not necessarilly hsve an irrational fear but... all possibilities should be factored in.
- 10 months ago
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TheCutieCull
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NeverNude
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gen468:
wow you made alot of assumptions about the survey
- 10 months ago
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NeverNude
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kennymotown
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Their feelings are probably justified.
- 10 months ago
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kennymotown
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Saladin
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Well there already has been pretty significant environmental damage done in the past generation, so the kids concerns aren't completely unjustified.
Our oceans are pretty badly fucked up, plastic, dead zones, overfishing, death of reefs etc. Most of the rainforests on earth are gone and we're essentially living in an age of animal mass extinction.
Not saying the future is gonna be like Blade Runner, but as of right now things really aren't getting better.
That being said I hope these kids don't stay up at night worrying about these things.
- 10 months ago
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Saladin
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madXmedic
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This is why more kids should play Fallout 3, to b prepared.
- 10 months ago
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madXmedic
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Sexirobot
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that's weird cause i heard one in three children are home schooled.
- 10 months ago
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Sexirobot
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sue4e3
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I have had more fear since I started reading posts on current than ever before .I was always told by my parents that the world would end in my life time .I think i believed it but never looked at it and as a young person I had three children .I would die for them without a thought.All I do now is worry for them.I would be dishonest if I said it hasn't consumed alot of me.My 7 year old son asked me a question he said why do we use trees for paper and I said to him because thats what has always been .That is why we recycle it because without trees the world would not have air and it would be hot so always recycle .It was not a scary transaction and he said ok. I am not tring to call you out pjacobs but you said to me that the powers that be keep us in fear were you tring to say that your articles help in some way or just contribute yo the fear .This is a real question for you I want to understand what you were triing to say. Sorry for the typing (not my best attribute)
- 10 months ago
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sue4e3
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kyackr
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do the math
there is reason for concern - 10 months ago
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kyackr
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kyackr
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kyackr
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Ichi
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If this doesn't show the direction in which this world is headed (to the point where even children wonder about the future) then quite frankly, we are screwed.
- 10 months ago
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Ichi
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AmourTerreux
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Ah...poor kids. :(
It's really up to the grown ups to explain. . .and I am sick and tired, of the History channel and all their end of world theories!!! UGH!! - 10 months ago
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AmourTerreux
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sue4e3
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AmourTerreux:
i agree
- 10 months ago
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sue4e3
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Scarabus
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Is it still paranoia if what you fear represents a real threat?
- 10 months ago
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Scarabus
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sue4e3
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Scarabus:
I don't know My husband tells me I'm paraniod all the time I asked him the same thing.what he said to me gave me comfort .that I am not in control and even if we only had five minutes to live we would still have to live for that five minutes.I'm scared every day for my children. what do you do
- 10 months ago
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sue4e3
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CiiMONSTR
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me too. and a fear of being a disciplining target by public services too.
- 10 months ago
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CiiMONSTR
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sue4e3
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maybe if people looked to hope as much as they looked to doom this article wouldn't be here .pjacobs51need i say more
- 10 months ago
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sue4e3
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pjacobs51
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sue4e3:
You are absolutely right sue, but the powers that be have kept us living in fear with such things as the Cold War, and now the War on Terror. Not to mention Climate change and all that's going on there.
- 10 months ago
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pjacobs51
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NeverNude
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sue4e3:
by conversing on the subject we perpetuate the fear
- 10 months ago
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NeverNude
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mcwally
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Children should always be guided not driven ia particular direction because it suits the person who should be the guardian to them...
Children should be allowed to choose theİr functional responses in a changing society..which means allowing them access to the required choices of information they will come across..and how to define for themelves,what is true or not..
The world for them is a different place from some of the contributers here who are already going through a historical biased process in the worls..formed up from their own lifes experiences...
Children do not need to be put upon by the words of others who may or may not know the meaning of guardianship for the children of the planet..
A genuine instruction of how things really are in the world is better than the illusions of what could be hoped to be..by most..
Allow children their time..their future concerns are really our past mistakes now coming to light and fruition..show them the respect they deserve and be honest for once? - 10 months ago
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mcwally
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idealist
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0yea suer just fill there head with a bunch of 2012 propoganda and c if there not scared... no one else seems to be worrying cus it hasent happend yet ,, grown ups r dumb!!!
- 10 months ago
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idealist
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artemis6
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I used to fear nuclear war . I think this is a key problem today . the fear is overwhelming for some . They cling to the dogma that terrorizes them for comfort and cannot come out of this protective semi-denial . I think it is damaging and impedes emotional maturity . If we empower these kids they can master their fear and find a solution . It is what humans do best . And many have forgotten this .
- 10 months ago
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artemis6
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jubal
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I have liberated myself from this horrible fear and it took me until my early thirties before I could sleep in the dark. This is not a fear I would wish on any child.
- 10 months ago
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jubal
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numinant
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jubal:
But you seem to be talking about an irrational, religious fear. There are very rational reasons to be alarmed, and I think children need to be aware of them. They're going to be voters pretty soon.
- 10 months ago
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numinant
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NeverNude
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jubal:
oh come on, this isnt really a fear type thing, more anxiety. I can understand having anxiety and a general feeling of apathy towards the world as results, but you're just being a pussy
- 10 months ago
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NeverNude
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jubal
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jubal:
@numinant and nevernude
It is rational to be concerned at the way things are going on this planet. The news everyday is filled with negative realities and we are being bombarded with them. It is not irrational to allow children to learn the truth about the way things are.
Yes I am talking about a religious fear, and that is what the majority of youth that are living with, combined with the growing sense of impending doom in the media with regard to politics, 2012, Nostradamus, and on and on.
I am a fearless person today. I don't worry about things I cannot change, I look for the courage to change the things I can. In the mean time I have serenity when it comes to end of world scenarios. I do what I can to help other and to be a force for good in my community.
Perhaps you two aren't familiar with what it means to grow up in a religiously abusive household where older family members; parents and grandparents, beat you with the bible everyday, quote you verses about how bad you are, and go into a panic if you bring up subjects like sex, masturbation, or drugs; thinking that you are going down the wrong path - to hell.
Also I was bullied in school. That is another thing that made me feel life was hopeless. It also made think about ways to get revenge against those assholes. I could have ended up becoming a crazed wacko if it had not been for my own higher power and the unconditional love I received from some special people I knew as a youth. They helped me to overcome my fears and to let go of the religious fear based dogma; setting my mind free to learn new things.
I don't think that I am a pussy at all.
- 10 months ago
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jubal
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jubal
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Teaching children about an impending earth apocalypse is child abuse, and it should be illegal and punishable by law. People who raise their children to live in fear should be hung upside down by their toes over razor wire, so that when their toes finally break and their body falls they will be cut to little bits, face first.
- 10 months ago
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jubal
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Hammerchop
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jubal:
Oh please.
- 10 months ago
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Hammerchop
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fiat_lux088
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jubal:
Yeah and I'm guessing in your world trains have eyes and morals, all animals runs free in the wild and babies are delivered by stork.
- 10 months ago
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fiat_lux088
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anglcazn
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jubal:
@ jubal,
I agree with you until you started describing their mutilation. lol. - 10 months ago
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anglcazn
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jubal
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jubal:
@hammerchop, fiat_lux & anglcazn,
Sorry for describing such a gruesome punishment, I guess it is residual anger for having been abused as a child with the fear of Satan, God, the End of the World, Armageddon, Demons, etc. Because of my ignorance and not knowing what I know now, I allowed these people to terrorize me and it still makes me mad that I wasted the first half of my life living with so much fear and loathing. No wonder I wanted to kill myself and saw the future as hopeless.
Please forgive me for being offensive in describing a punishment for these types of people.
- 10 months ago
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jubal
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masterzip
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Without clean food and water men will prey on each other, and an apocalypse will come, just not a religious one...
- 10 months ago
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masterzip
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ahhlex
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this is good that we are thinking more about the planet. we need to have people start thinking like this.. maybe it will scare us into doing something good
- 10 months ago
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ahhlex
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Mike_Johnston
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Wow I can relate to that. I grew up with my Seventh Day Adventist great grandmother and was filled with "end times" rhetoric from an early age. I never quite bought it though and asked too many questions but I went through the whole drug thing too but there were other factors involved in mine as well. One unfortunate philosophy that I developed was that if the world was going to end why prepare for a future that wasn't going to exist... That fucked up my life in general... haha good times, good times...
- 10 months ago
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Mike_Johnston
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simplecj
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This isn't new... I feared it as a kid from having evangelical parents tell me it was coming soon. It made for some pretty intense acid trips, especially New Years '99 after a huge rave in SLC. I thought for sure the world was ending, even the waitress at Denny's told us that the sun might not come up. She must have known we were twisted bad, I don't know how she couldn't of.
I'm actually kind of mad that my parents made me feel like I might never see adulthood, it was not the best thing to grow up with in the back of your mind and perhaps part of the reason I ended up experimenting with drugs like I did.
- 10 months ago
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simplecj
