I have seen it so many times and in so many countries, when a child is forced somehow into a the role of caregiver. You see in them an unnatural maturity and a weight of responsibility that will influence them for the rest of their lives. This scene today in the french concession area of Shanghai made me stop in my tracks. A child driving another child on a moped in the middle of the afternoon traffic… and when you have a child yourself it makes you think even more and wonder at the dire circumstances that would require that parents allow a risk like this to be taken.
12 replies on “Day Three Hundred Fifteen, December 3, 2011”
Nico mono, Mimo,very good! Adrian
Thanks Adrian
Interesting that you were even able to capture this. Sad to some of us, but maybe not to others? A “way of life,” as bananabatman said in the comments above.
Mel
massachusetts-is-wicked-awesome.com
It sure is a way of life, but it still is heartbreaking to me
Hermosa fotografía!!
Thank you!
You capture such amazing moments. Your pics always create emotion, I love that!
Thank you! I appreciate your comment!
I know, it makes a mothers heart leap with fright, it is a different environment for children for sure.. c
It sure is!
I wonder whether they even perceive it as a risk? It may just be seen as ‘a way of live’, necessary if they are to prosper in the world, even though the accident statistics don’t make comfortable reading. In a western world, with preoccupation with ‘health and safety’ taken to the extreme, we cannot feel happy with this type of scene. I wouldn’t want my grandchildren exposed to such risks.
By the way, a great image!
Thank you very much for your comment! Yes, I believe very much that it is a cultural thing, but it sure feels uncomfortable and worrisome to watch!