toldailytopic: Are kids today maturing at an earlier age than they should? If so, ex

[Nathon Detroit]

The TheologyOnline.com TOPIC OF THE DAY for June 18th, 2012 10:35 AM

toldailytopic: Are kids today maturing at an earlier age than they should? If so, explain how and why.

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[TomO]

You're kidding....right? lain:

 

[Silent Hunter]

In what way? Physically, intellectually, emotionally?

If you mean physically, then yes . . . females begin menses at an earlier age than in the past.

 

[Poly]

Well it might be an obvious question so I think I'm more interested in "why". I can think of some obvious things but maybe some not so obvious such as parents being the cause.

 

[Real Sorceror]

They're definitely maturing faster physically than they used to.

As for the other aspects, I don't know that they're maturing faster than they *should* be. Should is kind of a subjective word.

Emotionally they seem to be growing at about the same rate. Intellectually they're learning more faster due to this being the Information Age. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.

Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express

 

[Sherman]

Nutrition has a lot to do with it. Children grow faster because of the availability of food. It is well documented that puberty occurs earlier in children with a higher body mass index as well. Kids often pack on more weight then is healthy. Today food, especially high fat foods are readily available, and children are not taught self control. So they gobble what they can get into their hands.

'Diet' foods with a list of ingredients longer then my arm are not a viable solution to this dilemma either. They may actually be compounding the problem.

 

[kmoney]

I've heard that it has to do with hormones.

 

[kmoney]

They're definitely maturing faster physically than they used to.

As for the other aspects, I don't know that they're maturing faster than they *should* be. Should is kind of a subjective word.

Emotionally they seem to be growing at about the same rate. Intellectually they're learning more faster due to this being the Information Age. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.

Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express

The problem is that they are maturing faster in some ways but not others.

 

[This Charming Manc]

hmm as in emotionally?

I read somewhere that guys don't finish adolescence to the late 30's now, is this growing up late or not being shipped off to a war to be blown apart ?

 

[WandererInFog]

toldailytopic: Are kids today maturing at an earlier age than they should? If so, explain how and why.

Physically, yes. The hormones injected into factory raised animals to speed their maturation rate is being passed onto children consuming meat and milk products causing an earlier onset of puberty. This is even more pronounced in some 3rd world countries where lax safety regulations means run off from the farms is ending up in the water supply.

Emotionally and socially however, we've extended adolescence well into the mid to late 20s. For a long time this was because the baby boomers were content to allow their children to stay home and sponge off of them indefinitely, but this is becoming even more pronounced as high levels of unemployment for those under 30 is making it difficult for even those desire independence from their parents to attain it.

 

[WandererInFog]

Intellectually they're learning more faster due to this being the Information Age.

No, they're not. Not overall at least. While there are certainly individuals who take advantage of the learning made available by the internet, for the vast majority it's simply providing them with cat pictures, porn, and a flood of meaningless information about their acquaintences through social media.

 

[Lighthouse]

Some of them seem to be, and yet others... not so much.

Intelligence among children seems to be the same way.

 

[sky.]

define "mature".

 

[sky.]

You're kidding....right? lain:

I think the question lacks depth, as stated. Maybe the questionnaire is responsible.

 

[Delmar]

Kids are getting corrupted earlier, I think.

 

[Angel4Truth]

Physically, yes, mentally and emotionally and spiritually, no

 

[Sherman]

Physically, yes. The hormones injected into factory raised animals to speed their maturation rate is being passed onto children consuming meat and milk products causing an earlier onset of puberty. This is even more pronounced in some 3rd world countries where lax safety regulations means run off from the farms is ending up in the water supply.

Emotionally and socially however, we've extended adolescence well into the mid to late 20s. For a long time this was because the baby boomers were content to allow their children to stay home and sponge off of them indefinitely, but this is becoming even more pronounced as high levels of unemployment for those under 30 is making it difficult for even those desire independence from their parents to attain it.

Earlier maturation was taking place when I was a kid--yet mine was delayed. I ate just as many meats as any other kid, and boy did I drink a lot of milk. I was a skinny little twig--nine percent body fat. BMI probably has more to do with it then hormones fed to the livestock.

 

[Buzzword]

I think we're seeing some of the results of a society whose definition of "adulthood" has changed drastically in the last 50 years.

We have gradually discarded the previously unquestioned rites of passage for entering adulthood (getting a job, moving out of the parents' house, getting married, having children, etc.) and instead of treating individuals who have jumped those hurdles as ADULTS, we have continued to question whether they are "ready" to take care of themselves and their children.

At least one result has been the last two generations of American adults (Generation X and the "Millennials") having ZERO models for adulthood, apart from financial stability.

And the economy (and those who run it) has easily taken that away from us as well.

 

[WizardofOz]

Physically, yes, mentally and emotionally and spiritually, no

This

 

[Quincy]

No but they think they are. Nothing new.