Here, Joely, 12, asks why adults feel the need to control children’s creativity as they get older – and calls for teenagers to be given the same artistic freedom as young kids.

When I was six years old, in a Year Two art lesson, I drew an eagle. I didn’t think it was one of my favourite drawings or even very good. However my teacher saw it and thought it was wonderful. He showed it to the other teacher and they decided to put it up.

I am now in Year Eight. Last year, I decided to draw a similar piece in art class and was quite content with it. But unlike my primary school teacher, my Year Seven art tutor was not as impressed. She told me that the wings were too small and that the features needed to be more precise.

This made me realise that art shouldn’t be trapped in straight lines and rules and it should not have a right or wrong answer. It should be left to be interpreted in many different ways. People of all ages should be able to do what they like with art, without feeling pressured to conform with everyone else.

Made By Girls: “Why adults need to stop stifling girls’ creativity”