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#1
When my god-kids started at high-school, within the first few weeks there was a noticable change in behaviour attitudes from them.
Both 'grew up' in ways that imo were neither neccessary or needed for the time of life (11/12 y/o's) they were at. Mixing mainly with their own crowd, true. But also being exposed to much older teens that had an influence not always beneficial.
My feelings on this are, wouldn't an (and I know I'll get howled down by some) American style 'middle' school system have benefits here?
Say from years 5 to 8. The demographic would be narrower and the kids may just be allowed to be influenced or remain kids for that little bit longer.
With the rush of everything in modern society one thing really annoys me. This (for want of a better term) sexulization of children at a younger and younger age. For instance, when my god-daughter started high school she was an early developer and the older boys (years 10 and higher) made their attentions known quite clearly. IF she had been in an enviroment with less exposure to more 'mature-bodied' teen boys, would she have remained (and sadly she hasn't) less susceptible to the shallowness that so many teens now seem to fall into?
I just reckon there is to wide a range of age at both primary and secondary (in particular, secondary) schooling at the moment and with the evidence of higher teenage birth rates, teen (and sadly binge) drinking etc. It's normally the older kids that first bring in the younger ones. Would there be any slow down at all if we tightened up the age groups of what our children socialise within at school levels?
Both 'grew up' in ways that imo were neither neccessary or needed for the time of life (11/12 y/o's) they were at. Mixing mainly with their own crowd, true. But also being exposed to much older teens that had an influence not always beneficial.
My feelings on this are, wouldn't an (and I know I'll get howled down by some) American style 'middle' school system have benefits here?
Say from years 5 to 8. The demographic would be narrower and the kids may just be allowed to be influenced or remain kids for that little bit longer.
With the rush of everything in modern society one thing really annoys me. This (for want of a better term) sexulization of children at a younger and younger age. For instance, when my god-daughter started high school she was an early developer and the older boys (years 10 and higher) made their attentions known quite clearly. IF she had been in an enviroment with less exposure to more 'mature-bodied' teen boys, would she have remained (and sadly she hasn't) less susceptible to the shallowness that so many teens now seem to fall into?
I just reckon there is to wide a range of age at both primary and secondary (in particular, secondary) schooling at the moment and with the evidence of higher teenage birth rates, teen (and sadly binge) drinking etc. It's normally the older kids that first bring in the younger ones. Would there be any slow down at all if we tightened up the age groups of what our children socialise within at school levels?

