Adult Quote by Wallace Shawn
“Children, I always think, are just putting on a performance of being naive and not understanding anything. I have worked with children in films, and they're treated as adults and they just drop the pretense of being children.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing acting with children, 2012
Children often mimic adult behavior, shedding naive pretenses when treated seriously.
In simple terms: Kids act adult-like when adults treat them as such.
Recognize and respect children's agency.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- film sets
- education
- parenting
- theatre
- media production
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does adult treatment affect a child's self‑perception?
- What can adults do to nurture authentic childhood?
Adults may impose expectations that limit genuine expression.