Schoolyard Romance Is Happening Earlier And Earlier

The Arizona Republic is reporting that kids are developing romantic relationships earlier than in the past. The Republic writes:

It's the first time she comes home with hearts and initials doodled inside her notebook. The first time he closes his bedroom door before making a phone call. It's a phase filled with who's-going-with-whom recaps, awkward slow dances and shy glances from across the cafeteria.

Carleton Kendrick, a child therapist interviewed by The Republic, said:

• "What used to get tried out in high school now gets tried in middle school. In this culture, children rush through childhood. It's fine to have crushes, and it's wonderful to think someone is cute, but it shouldn't interrupt an important phase of growing up."
• "Kids might dress like adults and act like adults, but they're not hard-wired to deal with some of the social, emotional and sexual issues that come with being an adult."
• A red flag should be raised if a 12-year-girl is dating a much older boy, and parents have the responsibility to say no.

What on earth is Kendrick talking about when he says dating? I don't think that a 12-year-old child should be dating anybody. But We report, you decide:

• "A 15-year-old boy can say all the things to make a 12-year-old think she's the most beautiful thing in the world. It's more or less a recipe for disaster, and it will certainly lead to psychological hurt for the 12-year-old."
  
• "Kids might dress like adults and act like adults, but they're not hard-wired to deal with some of the social, emotional and sexual issues that come with being an adult."

We certainly agree with that last statement. As a junior high school teacher, I have seen more than my share of kids walking about arm-in-arm both on an off campus, and on several occasions, I couldn't resist blowing my car's horn as I have driven by a pair of our students "making out" on the sidewalk near our campus.

Just about any middle school teacher in the land can attest to the numerous "hickeys" that our 12-14 year-old charges walk about with as "badges of honor."

As the father of the thirteen-year-old TeenWonk, any report of this nature will continue to merit my closest attention.

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