No, it isn't just you, Beddy. I think there is a general perception amongst people old enough to have seen a few generations of children get through to their teenage years that they've been pushed into the adult world faster than they are mentally equipped to deal with. We also know that big business preys on children, either directly or indirectly through their parents. Children are being groomed to be good unquestioning consumers and the sexualisation of them is all part of that. Sadly, it's the world we live in. Very few inner city kids these days can play as we did [people in their 50s plus]. Whilst my childhood wasn't exactly Swallows & Amazons or Famous Five style, I could probably look to more adventure than the modern day city kid, locked away in a bedroom with a games console and 40" TV until told to get ready for tap dancing lessons or the school drive-in. Thankfully, children brought up in the countryside still get to have a childhood if they want one. Being able to be a child, and an active one, is oh-so precious for later life. And there's plenty of time to be an adult. Kids shouldn't be rushed into it. But they won't be given the chance. Regrettably, there's no law against it.
Some times it frightens the life out of me. My 6 year old granddaughter said some thing a few weeks ago that really brought things home. She is a particularly bright child. There was something on the TV about a young lass having a baby. Firstly she said was I a big lump like that granddad? So I reply sort of sheepishly well I guess we all were at some point. I know how to make babies........I was stunned. Of course I fell right into the trap, oh do tell me says I. I was then given a sex lesson almost by my 6 year old grand daughter. Apparently she had learned about it at school recently. At 6 years old for goodnes sake. If that isn't taking away the age of innocence what is?
Charming... If a six year old has the capability to construct colloquialisms like that (although I suspect Beddy was paraphrasing), then yes, it would show a high level of intellect. But don't let that put you off your unpleasantness.
I'm not sure that's such a bad thing, Beddy. Truth in education is almost always a good thing in the end. Innocence can still remain. Bull****, which is what children are fed to make them good consumers, means that they'll part with their money at the right time [or get their parents to], to the right companies, and if business gets it just right, they'll be sucked dry by the time they're no use to society anymore. And, going back to LTL's video above which provoked this, the proliferation of overtly sexual teenage boy bands and girl soloists are all part of this consumerism. If education can play a real part it's for children to learn at the right time [ie, when they can mentally process the concept] that they can have an independent mind and not have to follow the herd.
Britain still has one the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Europe, and we have had, until recently, the worst sex education policy. There is a definite correlation between the rate of pregnancy and the lack of sex education. I know exactly what you mean Beddy, and sympathise with it, but teaching a child at an early age about the birds and bees is absolutely not the same as sexualising them, and in fact it should, if done properly, have the opposite effect. Children should reach sexual maturity fully equipped to make the right decisions about sex, and not be pressurised by anyone through their own ignorance.
Fully agree, keeping the kids ignorant of "The Facts of Life" hasn't worked so lets follow the leads of other more progressive countries who seem to have early pregnancy under more control
Do you not think though by young children knowing about the "birds and the bees" at such an early age it encourages them to experiment earlier? Fran has a good point too about the education of what is and isn't appropriate. I am not sure if they are taught more when in the teenage years about this these days. I get the impression it is just left to themselves to figure out.
Well the evidence is that good sex education, which includes the social aspects of sexual attraction, and how to cope with it, as well as the biological, has the opposite effect from encouraging experimentation. I agree that teaching appropriate behaviour is an important part of sex education, as well as advice on using social media where so many children seem to fall foul of predatory adults.
The facts would prove otherwise. In my educational years we got one lesson from the biology teacher who sent two boys out of the room for persistent sniggering. That's as far as it went. They learned nothing and we learned hardly any more than that. Besides, I think I'd learned more from the school library several years beforehand. What I didn't get, and plenty like me also didn't receive, was the all-round education surrounding gender, sex and the attitudes and responsibilities that go with it. In the more liberated parts of Europe they've been educated on these aspects for years.
I get the impression with Miley Cyrus, though, that she is clearly taking control of her own self-image (and of course is 23). A bit like how Madonna did, to shake a teen image which consigns you to a short shelf life (however we may feel she deserves one, or will get one anyway!). I mean, she is putting out free albums, and touring with The Flaming Lips etc. Not exactly things she is being coerced to do by anyone with a financial interest in her. Some of the things she does - like not shaving her armpits - are fairly bold statements to young fans of both gender, and on the whole I think very positive in the ongoing female body image 'conversation'. Maybe it feels irresponsible to take her millions of innocent teen fans on that journey, or is uneasy viewing from a dad sitting on the sofa with a teenage daughter when she happens to come on TV swinging naked on a wrecking ball - I can see that. But I think as an outsider that overall it feels better than the wholesome but semi-naked come hither virgin image peddled by others.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35579014 The BBCs update of today's day in court and evidence provided by the girl.
