mmcd3182
12-20-2006, 22:28 PM
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
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