Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Cory Silverberg: Science and Storytelling in Sex Education
Carrie Smith: Building a Family: Is Going Into Debt for In Vitro or…
Tweens are the new teens
Have you noticed that kids are growing up much faster these days?That sounds so incredibly cliche, and I feel like next, I should start babbling about how when I was a kid, gum cost less than a dollar and I had to walk for an hour uphill in the snow to school each morning.
But, I've noticed for years that girls look different at fourteen than I and my friends did. I wondered if it were just my imagination, but it seemed so obvious: breasts were suddenly so much bigger on such young girls, 14-year old boys looked 19. I thought perhaps I was just getting old, and my memory distorted - but it turns out that tweens are indeed developing much more rapidly than the last generation.
Physical differences are happening earlier. Menstruation and breast development sometimes start in elementary school, and doctors note that this might have to do with improved nutrition and increased body fat. Access to R-rates movies and foul language is easy and available on the Internet and TV. Some blame advertisers, who pick up on tween desire to be "older" by marketing toys such as the dreaded Bratz dolls.
It all makes me feel so sad. The innocence of childhood is so tiny, so fleeting and until it's gone, you simply can't appreciate its full beauty. Perhaps that's why we want to shield our children so vehemently, we understand the fleetingness of early youth.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Britney Spears Considering Coaching Her Own Kids
Britney Spears is a former teen star herself, she's mentoring the teens on "The X Factor," so the next line of questioning is, will she let her kids follow in her footsteps on their own child-star paths. We asked Britney if she would ever mentor her own kids if they wanted to pursue singing careers.
-
Teen Basketball Star Andrew Wiggins Kicks Back With Kids
Canadian basketball sensation Andrew Wiggins is spending a relaxing week gearing up for Wednesday's All-American charity game. The teen took part in Easter activities with kids at the Ronald McDonald House Sunday.
-
Joseph A. Califano Jr. Talks About How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid
Califano's new guide is designed to help parents get their kids through the formative pre-teen, teen, and college years drug-free.
-
Lauri Burns: Teen Advocate
Burns on her abusive and tumultuous upbringing and what led her to becoming an advocate for foster kids and homeless teens with the Teen Project.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
11-26-2006 @ 12:32PM
ann adams said...Tell me about it Kristin. My middle girl (almost 12) looks years older much of the time and her sister who just turned 11 isn't far behind.
They go back and forth from children to 11 going on 17.
Reply