Over the past few years, the Times of India has published many articles and editorials on the topic of childhood stress. According to Ramanathan (2002), a recent study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences reveals that nearly 35 percent of children ages 8-14, especially in urban areas, are stressed enough to need clinical attention. What is startling about such findings are the sheer numbers of children under stress, the early onset of their symptoms, and the extreme measures to which some children will go to cope (negatively) with their stress. This article explores some of the circumstances affecting the lives of children in India and some of the possible reasons for heightened childhood stress levels in a culture where, traditionally, the young are adored and indulged.