[onewhitetree]

I think much of the respective focus on youth has much to do with the ages of the different races. The hobbits, being the youngest race in Middle-Earth, are not worn by the cares of the world, and have a great joy in life (ignorance is bliss, I suppose one could say). On the other hand, Elves are so saddened with the worries of wars and great misfortunes of ME that they are undoubtedly reluctant to bring more into the sadness that is their existence.

A microcosmic example of children in Middle-Earth is the relationship between Beregond and Bergil of Minas Tirith. As darkness grows and nears, Bergil is nearly sent away. He ages and realizesthe apparent futility of life under such oppression, and in effect loses his childlike persona. Middle-Earth in that time was no place for children.

Obviously, after the defeat of Sauron, everyone gets busy and there is a plethora of kids once again. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]