Why do little girls grow up so fast?

[poodicat]

This topic was discussed today on the telly, i was shocked to hear that girls are now starting puberty at 8 and 9 years old,when it used to be around 14,they are asking what has caused this to happen,could it be linked to obesity,or linked to some plastics that can produce oestrogen,no one can give a definitive answer,its really sad to think that a girl that should have to go through this so young,what do others think?

[Greedyfly]

It was traumatic for me when I started puberty at about 13 years old. I couldn't imagine what 9 year old girl must feel. How awful.

[nellypope]

I was 10! It wasn't too bad. But I was told it's genetic, my mother was the same.

[poodicat]

Thats young nelly,how did you cope?

[Greedyfly]

I think people have to just make sure children are prepared enough for situations like this. I was very aware of the birds and the bees and everything alongisde form a very young age. My mum was very forthcoming with info like that. I think it helped alot.

[mollykins]

My friend was 9, this was 7 years ago.

[Bbbananas]

It's got to be something to do with all the oestrogens, hormones, chemicals etc these days in our water supplies, food chain and, yes, even things you wouldn't think about such as plastics.

[mollykins]

or some way of nature doing survival of the fittest perhaps. The younger you are, the more kids you can have, so the more likely your genes will be passed on.

[LoftyLottie]

Very unfortunate though because although they develop physically much earlier they certainly don't develop mentally much earlier. A dangerous situation.

[bigfoot3000]

I agree with salla but would also like to add that I believe that television, Magazines and relaxed Attitudes towards sex may affect them psychologically more then we think which then may manifest itself in a physical form.

[sandyRoe]

Because they're made of sugar and spice and all things nice?

[supersuezy24]

Survival of the fittest Molly?? Puberty is being discussed not a fight for life.

[Dris]

Why dont you get off her case Suezy? Just interested.

I feel for young ones starting puberty so young.It must be part of the revolutionary process.

[B00]

I always think its really sad when a little girl starts her periods young, it's the end of childhood in my eyes :-(

[LoftyLottie]

Yep, BOO. Their bodies and sexual feelings might develop early but they are too young to cope with it sensibly. As I said, quite frightening really.

[supersuezy24]

I wasn't very young when I got my periods but I know one of my friends got hers very earlier, aged 10, She found it quite frightening at the time

[B00]

Do sexual feelings come hand in hand with starting your periods?

I was quite lucky with elder Mini Boo, she was a late developer and didn't start until she was about 15.

As for Mini boo she's only 5- hope i've a long time to go yet with this one!

[LoftyLottie]

Well yes to a degree I think. All part of puberty BOO. I was 13 when I started my periods and not long after I suddenly started looking at boys in a new light! After all puberty is all about getting ready to produce and you can't do that without the urge!!

[B00]

lol yeah, never really thought of it that way Lottie. I was 11 when i started mine, and I know for a fact i personally didn't look at boys in a different light once id started- they were still annoyances ;-)

If elder Mini Boo looked at them differently, she thankfully kept that info to herself. As for Mini Boo, the hubby reckons she's not dating till she's 35, so she's no chance- heh ;-)

[LoftyLottie]

When I said I looked at boys differently it was only that the crushes on pop stars and older boys began. Dating, etc. didn't come into it for a good few years after that. At 17 I went wild!!

Poor mini BOO. Will Dad escort her on her first date too!

[Bbbananas]

I (almost) wish I hadn't started dating til I was 35..... ;-)