A Reflection on Week 6: Early Puberty

The article “Teens Before Their Time” really stuck out for me this week. What I thought was most interesting was the idea that “sexualized messages bombarding kids from all sides” are contributing to the early physiological changes triggering puberty. These “messages” really can be seen everywhere. They are characters on TV shows, commercials, magazines, advertising, store displays, and walking through the halls of our local schools. When compared to salivating at the thought of delicious food, it makes sense that this constant exposure could possibly trigger the release of chemicals responsible for beginning puberty. If that is the case, then why doesn’t it affect all children? It is occurring more frequently now, however most girls still reach puberty at a more appropriate age. I think that this idea also ties into blaming violence on television and video games for causing aggression and violence in children. I can buy into all of this exposure, sexual or violent, contributing to physiological changes but it is definitely not the only factor for either situation.

   I honestly don’t know what I would think if any of my girls started physically developing at such an early age. It made me sad for these girls in the article to have to miss out on things like slumber parties. Childhood is so short already; I would hate to have to protect them from potentially embarrassing situations that would otherwise be part of a normal childhood. I also wouldn’t want them to deal with the emotional and psychological consequences of looking older than they are and how they would be treated by others, especially boys. I know I can’t control everything they are exposed to, but I hope that by keeping an eye on what my children are watching and keeping them busy with age appropriate activities, I can let them enjoy being kids for as long as possible.