Hmmm...
I dunno about that... there are so many many images and idols out there for the younger generation to follow... when I taught in a secondary school as part of my Primary education degree... I saw a lot of what I called "faux maturity".
I pointed this out to a member of staff who managed PHSE and counselling and he agreed... a lot of the "more mature" kids could talk the talk and walk the walk but really they'd love nothing better than to be still playing with their plastic toy cars/dolls at 13 or playing footie/tag and bloc til its dark in the street when they're 15 rather than... drinking til they spew and having to hold their "girlfriend's/boyfriends" hand when out in the town on a Saturday!
Society has forced them in a false maturity through fashion media and the behaviour of public icons... they all feel the need to behave in a "mock adult" fashion... he (and a lot of other child psychologists) blame this for the huge rise in early teen depression.
Imagine constantly comparing yourself physically to those stupid American teen dramas (Dawson's Creek for one!) characters who are meant to be 15/16 and are played by 25!!! year old actors! Then look at the media's presentation of teens... all well dressed, loads of friends, money, banging each others brains out!!!! Such ideals are false... the stress of competing to be "NORMAL" must be monumental!!!
*CB steps off soap box*
Sorry... I have very strong views on this matter, as an educator I see the results... it ain't pretty.
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