South African children would prefer having fictional characters like Spider-Man as president instead of President
Jacob Zuma, according to a survey released on Tuesday.
According to website
Parent24's kids nation survey, 38% of children surveyed would prefer having the web-slinging superhero run the country.
Peter Pan's fairy friend Tinkerbell came second with 31%, while the
absorbent, yellow, porous phylum Porifera who lives in a pineapple
under the sea, popularly known as Spongebob Squarepants, got 17%.
Real-life personalities came out at the lower end with former president
Nelson Mandela getting 8%, and Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber 5%.
Zuma, and meat-wearing pop diva Lady Gaga received no votes.
Parent24 said in a statement that the survey results reflected the
views of about 2 700 parents and their children, from nine provinces.
The ages of the children ranged from 1 to 9.
The parents completed the survey online, and helped to answer the children's questions on their behalf.
"We found the results of the survey intriguing," Parent24 editor Scott Dunlop said.
"The diverse responses allowed us into the homes of SA’s parents and revealed some interesting, funny and curious insights."
The results were published on the website in the form of charts with cartoon pictures of Russian dolls and a rubber ducky.
Forty-one percent of parents believed that reasoning with the child
was the best form of punishment, while 30% preferred a "smack on the
bum".
Physical punishment
Educational psychologist
Catherine Radloff said in a statement that the 30% figure was distressing.
"It can be tempting to think that a smack sorts out disobedience or
bad behaviour in a child. However, numerous studies have found that
physical punishment increases the risk of broad and enduring negative
developmental outcomes," she said.
"Smacking a child sets a bad example of how to handle strong
emotions. It may also encourage children to lie or hide their feelings
to avoid being smacked and can lead to a resentful and angry child."
Broccoli won the role of the most hated vegetable, with 35%. A total of 62% of children eat take-aways up to three times a week.
"When it comes to feeding your child vegetables, presentation and
variety may be the key. The greater the variety of nutritious choices
presented to a child, the more likely the child will choose
adequately," nutritional therapist and health coach Cara van Heyningen
said.
"Children eating more take-aways on such a regular basis is a big
concern as it has been shown that eating fast-food meals more than once
a week is a major contributing factor of childhood obesity."
According to the survey 23% of children surveyed had their own cellphone or tablets, while 75% helped with chores.
With regards to the children's future, 43% of the parents surveyed
wanted their children to be doctors, and 29% wanted them to become
engineers.
One percent wanted their children to get into politics.
- SAPA
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