There is so much push in popular media to make things edgy. The idea that kids are growing up younger and faster and wont relate to G rated storylines is well accepted. And when kids see edgy hero's in books and movies, it reinforces the idea that they are supposed to be growing up younger and faster.
I'm not a parent yet, and don't plan on censoring the things my kids read when I do have children. I am a big sister with the big brothers big sisters organization. I was matched with my first little sister when she was 13 years old. We saw each other once a week for two and a half years. Then when she was 15 her family moved away. I now have a new little sister who is 9. Both of my little sisters match attitudes and behaviors presented in popular media.
My 9 year old little sister has a boy friend. I hope/think that their relationship involves nothing more risque than chasing each other around on the playground. And thinking back to the good old 1980's, I was invited on a date to my elementary school carnival in 4th grade. So nine year olds dating isn't an entirely new invention.
Still I have to wonder. Should modern YA and MG writers be learning something from Judy Blume? Can eleven year old girls have angst about getting their period and their first training bra without having to through drugs and sex into the mix too?
Joke of the Day
A person who speaks three languages is tri-lingual.
A person who speaks two languages is bi-lingual.
A person who speaks one language is American.
A person who speaks two languages is bi-lingual.
A person who speaks one language is American.
If you know a better joke, enter my contest and you might win a free book.
