Childhood Over By 11

I was interested to hear that in a recent survey carried out by the children’s book publishers, Random House, that more than half of parents believe childhood is over by 11.

I guess I’m supposed to be shocked by this. But as ever, definitions of what constitutes childhood appear to be lacking. So too does a clear and appropriate age for which childhood should end – 13, 14, 18 – and can this be universally applied, or are we simply supposed to be discussing this from a purely white, middle class, developed country perspective? I’m sure many children around the world