I can see the start of another yah- boo row here, so let's point out at the start that 99% of religious people of all faiths are just fine (even if some of us disagree with them), and that forcing children like rhubarb isn't confined to religion. Remember the baby William Hague at one of Thatcher's rallies? The little girls groomed for beauty contests? Kids who go to university at 11 years old? Kids signed up for (soccer) football clubs at the first legal moment? Little Foetus Osmond?

It's normal for people to admire a clever child, and usually they don't see the stress and heartbreak that may be present behind the scenes. And it's normal for parents to want their child to be clever, and to show off that talent- I bet many of you have taken your offspring to folk clubs etc. to show off (and encourage of course) their talents.

IU'm sorry for the kids when this goes too far, but it's really all part of human history, maybe even part of how we got to be what we are.