Christian Bale knows what he's talking about when he says parents should resist the temptation of allowing or encouraging children to become a child star; Bale has worked in Hollywood since he was 8-years-old, and starred in his first major role at 12 in "Empire of the Sun."
When considering the large number of child stars that have been destroyed by, or in the process of being destroyed by the industry, Bale is right on with his comments.
He said the major struggle is with the enormous pressure the industry brings on young people. Look over the last year and young stars like Vanessa Hudgens and Miley Cyrus to see what the industry attempts to do to young stars; even ones grounded like Miley.
Bale said, "I think introducing children to a professional industry where they may not recognise the pressure is wrong. Very quickly they're going to be under pressure.
"This is an adult industry. I would be very sceptical putting anybody I cared about, who was close to me, in this profession at a young age."
Bale, who with his wife Sibi Blazic have a three-year-old daughter Emmeline, added that he does "support it [children acting] as a hobby and as an amateur pursuit but, to enter into it in a professional world, is a whole different ball game."
Along with the late Heath Ledger, Bale stars in the upcoming The Dark Knight. I'm looking forward to it, as Bale has been my favorite actor playing the Batman role.
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