Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

QQ in performance at the Mountain Dew 'Stunt Festival' held in Clarendon on Monday, April 9. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Despite the success, glamour and life in the spotlight that comes along with being a child star, there are negative repercussions.

But who is a child star? Defined as two separate words in the Concise Oxford English Diction-ary, a 'child' is defined as "a young human being below the age of full physical development, an immature or irresponsible person." A 'star' is defined as "a famous or talented entertainer or sports player, an outstanding person or thing."

Based on these definitions, it is easy to see why so many child stars, having missed out on the opportunity of leading a normal life, often end up facing serious problems before attaining adulthood and afterward. There are many examples abroad involving child stars who have faced some unique problems - Michael Jackson heading the list of such persons.

However, taking a closer look home, there are several child stars who have emerged on the scene and have been doing quite well in music and theatre. While their problems might not be as acute as their U.S. counterparts, the signs are pointing in that direction.

The latest local child star to be in the news is Kareem 'QQ' Dawkins. The young celebrity, who is no more than 13 years old, has been in and out of court recently. The saga started in July of this year, when QQ was forced to cancel a number of stage shows abroad due to pressure applied by local child advocates.

proper permit

According to QQ's father and manager, GQ, "the Jamaican Government said I didn't have the proper permit which had to be issued by the Jamaican authorities. But we didn't have a problem with the U.S, because they saw it suitable to grant him a work permit."

After going through the court process in Jamaica, QQ was granted his permit, but under strict conditions.

Another court case concerning which parent should get legal custody of the boy ended last week when a Family Court judge awarded joint custody to his parents, but ordered them to first attend counselling. When that is complete, the parents will return to court for the judge to make an assessment and determine with which parent QQ should live.

At 10 years old, the singing sensation set a record as the youngest person in Jamaica to have a hit song, titled Poverty, which dominated the airwaves in both Jamaica and England with its food-for-thought lyrics. Now, three years later, he is a household name with hit tunes like Stookie and Rum Ram.

stress levels

According to Dr. Yvonne Bailey-Davidson, consultant psychiatrist, child stars have to cope with a level of stress that persons of that age are not able to deal with, which causes their social, academic and family life to suffer. "They wouldn't be able to lead a normal life, because they would have to have bodyguards, private tutors, be always in rehearsals to try to keep up; so they begin to think of themselves as super humans and can't meet their peers on certain levels," Bailey-Davidson tells The Sunday Gleaner.

The psychiatrist adds: "They are prone to depression and anxiety and after a time they become withdrawn and isolated because of the pressure, and their room becomes like a safe haven. As they grow older they are more prone to substance abuse, which they use to cope. And because of the stress, they tend to lack satisfaction and enjoyment from life."

Chloe Persson, in an article posted on the website www.helium.com, notes: "Unlike a lot of children, celebrity kids miss the opportunity to be ... kids! Lights, camera and action is the only life they know whether they like it or not; because even when they are old enough to make their own decisions and choose to live the quiet life, they are already celebrities and there is always someone wanting to know their business."

Sections 33 and 34 of the Child Care And Protection Act states:

33. No person shall employ a child under the age of thirteen years in the performance of any work.

34. No person shall employ a child who has attained the age of thirteen years, but who has not attained the age of fifteen years, in the performance of any work other than in an occupation included on the list of prescribed occupations referred to in subsection (2).