Why are children so much more important than adults?

[singlecoil]

AIUI, 28 people died in the coach crash, and yet the focus of the media, and many others, is on the children. The BBC News are leading with the story "22 children died". Why would they do that? Is there something wrong with me for thinking that the other six people are equally important?

[AndrewW-G]

Yes and no, the focus on children in this sort of tragedy, is no doubt down to the adults having lead more of their lives than the children, making their death a little more poignant

[Puggit]

The other 6 are certainly important, but children are normally the innocent parties in most events. Plus, children have potential which hasn't been reached, while adults have generally made some kind of mark on the world.

[98elise]

They also lack the skills/experience to cope in crisis, so they are more (or appear more) vulnerable, plus humans are wired to nuture childern, so the loss seem's greater.

It also makes a "better" story for the press, which is not such a good human trait

[singlecoil]

I understand about the unrealised potential of the children, and their vulnerability, but adults are liekly to have families of their own, jobs, possibly important ones, and the death of an adult is likely, almost certain, to have greater consequences for society than the death of a child.

As for 'making a better story', what I am asking is why should that be the case, why is it a better story?

[mattnunn]

The thought of my kids being on that coach turns my piss stone cold, retract my bks into my chest and puts the taste of whisky in my throat, i can literally taste the pain.

The thought of my wife being on it, well.... Tbh, i'd get over it.

[Pints]

Burying your child is far worse than burying a parent or partner IMO.

[phil1979]

Pints said:

Burying your child is far worse than burying a parent or partner IMO.

Urgh. As a fairly new father, I read that sentence, and felt very cold. Would never have felt like that pre-children. Spot on.

[superkartracer]

singlecoil said:

AIUI, 28 people died in the coach crash, and yet the focus of the media, and many others, is on the children. The BBC News are leading with the story "22 children died". Why would they do that? Is there something wrong with me for thinking that the other six people are equally important?

The children come first, one of the fundamental roles of an adult, to protect the children.

It really is very sad to have your life taken away before it's only just started.

[superkartracer]

Pints said:

Burying your child is far worse than burying a parent or partner IMO.

I'd imagine utterly devastating

[pilchardthecat]

Because there is nothing more painful in life than the loss of a child.

[Changedmyname]

Pints said:

Burying your child is far worse than burying a parent or partner IMO.

Ideed ,and that I do know.

[Eric Mc]

I'm surprised the question has even been asked.

Children represent the future and they represent potential. It's a real tragedy is that future and potential is snuffed out before it can be realsed.

They are also inocent in the vast bulk of things. Things happen to children by and large. Adults make things happen. Children atren't in control, adults are.

(And nobody mention "Outnumbered").

[singlecoil]

I also understand that the death of one's own child would be particularly devastating, but these deaths, unfortunate as they are, are the deaths of other people's children. Why would a person consider a child to whom they are not connected to be more important that an adult to whom they are not connected?

[Eric Mc]

Do you think the news would not be reported if 28 adults had been killed?

[anonymous-user]

As already said it's the lost potential at such a young age and the denial of the chance to experience their teenage years, adulthood, parenthood, first love, their first job or their first home for example. Also there's a loss for the parents where they will no longer see these milestones and will not bear witness to the fruits of the love and nurturing they have given their child. Everyone wants a long and fruitful life and these kids have been denied much more than the adults killed in the crash. Children are more helpless and innocent than adults and to see this case, baby P and Marie Colvin's narration of a mortally wounded Syrian baby struggling for its last breath is more heartbreaking than if it were an adult in those situations as adults have more ability to fight back or put themselves out of harm's way.

[grumbledoak]

Pints said:

Burying your child is far worse than burying a parent or partner IMO.

This. You are supposed to bury your parents or partners.

[pilchardthecat]

singlecoil said:

I also understand that the death of one's own child would be particularly devastating, but these deaths, unfortunate as they are, are the deaths of other people's children. Why would a person consider a child to whom they are not connected to be more important that an adult to whom they are not connected?

Yes. It's called empathy

[ewenm]

singlecoil said:

I also understand that the death of one's own child would be particularly devastating, but these deaths, unfortunate as they are, are the deaths of other people's children. Why would a person consider a child to whom they are not connected to be more important that an adult to whom they are not connected?

Because people are not 100% rational (thankfully) and the death of children provokes a stronger emotional response in most people.

[ninja-lewis]

singlecoil said:

I understand about the unrealised potential of the children, and their vulnerability, but adults are liekly to have families of their own, jobs, possibly important ones, and the death of an adult is likely, almost certain, to have greater consequences for society than the death of a child.

As for 'making a better story', what I am asking is why should that be the case, why is it a better story?

You have a point. The policy of "women and children" first on the Titanic, which considerably more men die, left many other families without their main breadwinner in a period when they were often the only breadwinner.