Are Kids Growing Up Too Quickly???

Question

Is it just me or are kids today growing growing up at rapid paces?(I mean before they hit 13 years old) Who knows who's to blame for this? The media? Modern education? All I know is that when I was a kid (keep in mind I was 6 when the 1980's came to a close, this would make me 23 now) we were allowed to be kids and "grow up" at our own leisure. I feel like my generation, of kids, was the last generation that were allowed to be kids and take their time to grow up. My opininon is that the media projects a grown up image that kids feel obligated to emulate. Also, we can't rule out our school systems. Our school seems to dump a ton of work on kids. They see work as punishment and not something fun and part of their learning and growing experience. Remember, when we were growing up and our parents told us not to grow up too fast? Well, looking back, they really didn't have to because it's not like we were any great rush to do so....Let me know what you guys think.

Answer 1

I think it has a lot to do with parenting and the media and the toy companies. I also am an 80's baby, I am 26 now. My daughter is 6 years old, and I swear just yesterday I was changing her diapers. I am a very strict parent, but also my daughter is very spoiled. I think children nowadays are prevy to vacations, name brand clothes, and more things then we had when we were little. I remember I was 13 years old when my mom forced me to give my barbie dolls away, and oh how I cried. Today they have the BRATZ dolls out. Have you really looked at them, with too much make up on and their skin hanging out everywhere???? My 6 year old would rather watch MTV and play with Bratz because all her friends do, then watch the disney channel and play with baby dolls. However because I am the mean mom that I am, I refuse to allow her to play with ANYTHING Bratz related (no crayons, books, toys, or anything). I pick out toys, games, clothes, and other things that make her act and look like she is 6 years old. I remember when I was little my mom used to tell me I am not everyone else's mom when I complained that everyone else was doing something. Even though I swore I would never be like my mom, I caught myself saying I am not everyone else's mom. I monitor everything that my daughter watches, plays with, wears, and what comes out of her mouth. I am hoping that by being stricter now, when the time comes, she remember everything that i have taught her. I agree with you about the school thing too, but that isn't the local school's choice. Most states are now mandating a lot more hours than what you and I went to school for. Also there are standarized testing that children have to pass now where when we were younger they just wanted to see how well we did. There was no big deal if we passed or didn't.

Answer 2

I have to say, yes many of them are. (I am 18, so not really a child anymore). Most kids know how to operate many things I never would have if I were the same age and it makes me wonder. However don't let the workload mislead you. I think schooling should be the way it was in the 80's or something like that, but just add more years to school. They are trying to teach kids more and more and more in only 12 required years. And this pushes many kids to fall behind, and think they are not as smart. Besides, in future years, we will live to 125 years old or so, so why should we start work at 18/25 (Depends on college or not). Let the kids start at 25/30 and work till 100.....everything else is, let the school system.

Answer 3

Yes. I've just had an argument with my 12 year old son because he thinks he has the right to tell my 3 years old daughter to stop playing with a certain noisy toy.

It's his last day of school before they break up today and he is finishing early. He and his friends have made plans to meet at 1pm at the train station. I hear him chatting away to his friends on the phone making plans to go here and there and I think to myself, gosh, when I was his age, I was just happy to be playing in my street. If I set those type of boundaries, I would be the worst parent in the world.

Don't get me wrong, I do all I can to remind him he is still only 12, but he feels so in between. He will argue like a baby with his two younger sisters, and he will stomp around in a tantrum if he doesn't get his own way, but then I see him typing away to his friends on msn, chatting about girls, knowing full well that his friends are using language I would rather not have my son hear or read, but then I know he has heard it all before in school and on T.V. and likes.

I should count myself lucky, I thinks girls of this age would be worse. I have two daughters, so I have all that to come!!!!

Answer 4

I see 13 year old girls all the time that look like grown woman and are talking about what boy they are sleeping with and stuff. I can't believe it and it makes me feel old. I was still playing with dolls in high school. Mind you, I stayed a virgin throughout high school and I was also the most popular girl in school, but it wasn't because I was a whore like these kids are nowadays.
Kids are getting arrested and all this other stuff. I don't know what it is...Actually, yes I do. It's because kids are having kids and not raising their kids the way our parents raised us because they are too busy trying to finish living their own lives.
I was scared to death of my parents and these kids now are not. Their parents are scared of them or don't care what they do as long as they not in they way.
I feel where you coming from.

Answer 5

Well, I'm just 13, but I still know what you mean. Gosh, younger kids than me sometimes even show more skin than I do. I'm not making this up, but I see little 6 yr old girls with short shorts, miniskirts, tube tops, halter tops, showing their stomachs when it wasnt even summer or hot.. Just like it was some casual thing they wore to go the STORE. Especially when they go to the mall..DANG. Little girls even wear make up and all... and it scares me.. And they even act all prissy and snobby because they think they look real sexy, but they're WAY too young, whatever happened to just having fun with no worries or thinking about your looks (except special occassions), having fun, and living your childhood to its fullest while you still have it? The most disgusting parts are I actually know an 8 yr old that lost her virginity willingly. And IDK why but 11 yr old girls are losing theirs too, and now alot of the ppl at my school laugh when they hear you're a virgin. They think sex is a funny thing, and it makes me sick.

Answer 6

I started school when I was 7, in the 70-ties, now you are suppose to start at 3. And have loads of activities, for what--to make the parents look good, to brag about skills you don't really want but your parents pay dear for?There is more pressure to have stuff,to know things, but little time left for just pure play. We screen children out of their imagination with computers and tv and games.We load them up with more work than should be allowed even for adults. We measure success with title and money and points rather than lifeskills, compassion and happiness. We don't allow children to just be, they have to perform. And if you refuse to play that game, you are a weirdo. I think one of the most important skills to teach children early on is that it's ok to be different, and to grow strong in self worth rather than specific fancy skills.

Answer 7

its mostly the parents faults...they should monitor the music their children listen to, the kids they hang out with, even the stuff they are watching on Television...whether its stupid reggaeton...to sex on T.V both of those elements make children grow up waaay to quick and they just want to emulate what they see or hear... i live in the ghetto, and its sad to see so many children become victims of their own surroundings and just settle for less, the streets.......it all starts at the home....

Answer 8

Easy answer... Bad parenting.

Look, there isn't just one thing it's many things that contribute to the way kids are today.

Break-up of the family unit, no parental guidance, bad influences, etc.