Children are confused and under-educated, which is why there is such a high number of teenage mothers ...I was still pushing my toy pushchair at the age some girls are pushing their real babies along.

Last week's Sunday Mercury article 'The kids who grow up too fast' drew this response from young reader Carly Eden, from Birmingham. Only 20 years old herself, she says she is shocked to see how quickly times have changed and the pressure children are under in today's society.

It is awful to walk in the streets, and pass girls as young as eight covered in make-up, wearing outfits I would still not wear now at my age.

I didn't even own a mobile phone at the age of eight, simply because I was still happy playing with the plastic phones from toy stores and playing games with my sisters.

When I woke up in the morning, it was a quick wash, something to eat then choose what game or toy we play with first.

Now children spend hours getting ready for school, putting on make-up and making sure their hair is immaculate.

It was only when I began going to secondary school that I started to experiment with make-up and even then it was clear mascara and a thin layer of lip balm.

I didn't want to wear a lot of make-up as at the age of 13, you are still a child. Not only that but schools were stricter as teachers would make you remove any make-up.

Teachers now have no control, which is completely wrong.

I look at the older generation and they are decent human beings. Why? Less gadgets to buy so they fit in with the crowd? Or was it due to the schools showing discipline so they knew the difference from right and wrong?

The problem today is children are making the decisions. We are doing more harm by not punishing them when they do wrong and by giving them too much freedom.

Why do you think there is so much crime in Britain? These children become teenagers that become these 'thugs' you find on more or less every street. By this point they are troubled teenagers that act in this way as they were shown no love or discipline as youngsters.

They have no respect for adults, which is why they fight, steal and use terrible language.

We could have avoided them becoming like this. They are confused and under-educated, which is why there is such a high number of teenage mothers. I was still pushing my toy pushchair at the age some girls are pushing their real babies along.

I have two young nephews who are such smart, funny and polite children, who are a pleasure to be around. My sister and her partner are wonderful loving parents who ensure that every day is full of fun and games. My oldest nephew has a great imagination and believes in magic and all those great characters such as Father Christmas.

It is upsetting that already he is aware that there are bad people in the world as he had to learn this when his nanny's car was stolen.

However, as a family we do our very best to ensure that he is also aware of the fun things in life by taking him on day trips and buying him new toys when he is a good boy.

In this generation, some parents don't have the time and patience to bring up their children. They are much happier lazing around the house watching television taking no responsibility for their offspring.

Being an auntie is the most rewarding role I have ever had.

There is nothing more satisfying than seeing smiles on my nephews' faces simply because you have played with them. Children need love and time to become respectful adults and these two things are both free. Innocence should last as long as possible, why take that away from children?

It is so easy to point the blame on somebody else but the truth is we are all responsible for the way today's generation have become.

The toys you find today in stores are not appropriate for children, the teachers in schools need to be stricter and be able to bring discipline back into the classrooms, and parents need to wake up and ask themselves: 'Am I doing a good job?'.

I am just happy that I was born the year I was so I can look back and smile at my childhood as it was full of laughter, games, imagination and love. It's so sad that many children can't do the same.