Most people think that children today are not as happy as those of previous generations and believe that academic pressure is the main culprit, according to a recent poll.

Some 53.2 percent of the 11,754 people who responded to the survey, which was conducted by the China Youth Daily and published by the newspaper yesterday, said they think today's children are less happy. Only 11.3 percent reported having unhappy childhoods themselves. Meanwhile, 57.5 percent have children of their own.

Over 78 percent agreed that society as a whole is responsible for the situation. About 51 percent said parents are also responsible and 44.3 percent said schools are liable, as well.

"Academic pressure and parents' thirst for their children's success are the two major causes of unhappy childhoods," said Huang Hongji, a child-study expert at Shanghai Normal University.

A total of 71.1 percent said that having little spare time due to too much schoolwork and after-school tutoring is a main contributor to children's depression.

"Parents' excessive demands" and "examination pressure" are also seen as leading factors, according to the poll.

Lu Zhi, a children's book writer, said that parental stress, which is a reflection of the stress felt by society as a whole, could be a reason for their children's negative emotions and may destroy the children's childhoods.

Parents, however, said they are frustrated with the situation children find themselves in today.

"I don't think there are parents who really want to incarcerate their kids for study, but society's improper talent-selection system, which relies heavily on people's educational background, has forced them to do so," said Sun Hongyan, a researcher with the China Youth and Children Research Center.

Most of the people surveyed believe that the lack of a lighthearted childhood may affect children's physical and mental well-being, lead to an aversion to learning and hamper their curiosity, vitality and independent thinking.

An overwhelming 85.2 percent of respondents said children should have happier lives that include more play time and require less homework and lessons.

Huang said that in addition to academic performance that could influence potential future salaries, there should be more diversified standards through which to assess a person's achievements.