Are our children really growing up too quick???

[futurehope]

I was listening to a christian radio program recently about teens and the problems they face with sex, drugs, fitting in, etc. Results of studies showed that over 90% of children today are exposed to sex and drugs at or before the time they become teenagers. This is of course very disturbing, but the statement that was made by one of the speakers shortly after that disturbed me even more in a way. He simply stated: "Our kids are just growing up too fast."

At first I thought nothing of it. But, as I pondered on that statement, I was very bothered. This man is a known christian teacher and speacker and he referred to sex and drugs as part of growing up. What bothered me is that we have allowed society to program even our christian leaders and churches to refer to what God calls an abomination as a part of growing up. And this is what we teach our children in this country.

It's really sad, if one of our children were about to be hit by a bus, we wouldn't think twice about throwing ourselves in front of it to save them, but when that same bus stops to pick them up to drive them (surrounded by foul mouthed children raised by those who don't even believe in the same God that we do) to a school where they are taught that pre-marital sex is okay as long as it's "safe sex" and that God doesn't belong in school and that homosexuality is just an alternate lifestyle and where they're surrounded by drugs and violence, we don't throw ourselves in front of the bus; we put them on it. And when the tv is on displaying all these same things in vivid color and gross detail, we don't throw ourselves in front of it to protect them, we either allow them to watch or send them out of the room because they aren't old enough yet.

When are we going to wake up in this country that used to believe in an almighty god and that growing up meant growing in the love and truth of that almighty God and stop thinking that growing up means growing in the foolish knowledge of a sin-filled and God-hating world. The fact of the matter is, more and more today, children are never actually growing up the way that God intended and only growing farther and farther from what He wants for them.

***I posted this in the lounge in hopes that more people would read it than would see it in the parenting forum.

[Annie]

At first I thought nothing of it. But' date=' as I pondered on that statement, I was very bothered. This man is a known christian teacher and speacker and he referred to sex and drugs as part of growing up. What bothered me is that we have allowed society to program even our christian leaders and churches to refer to what God calls an abomination as a part of growing up. And this is what we teach our children in this country. [/quote']

I can't be sure because I didn't hear this program, but it might be that he wasn't referring to sex and drugs as "part of growing up." I would tend to think not, anyway. I think when people say things like this, they are referring to the fact that today's children know a LOT more about sex at a much earlier age than most single adults did two or three generations ago. They are exposed to themes that only married adults would have known about in years gone by. They are expected to deal with what they see on TV and on the Internet (violence, porn, scary stuff, etc.) in "adult" ways. They are "worldly wise" at immature ages.

Here's an anecdote that might clarify what I'm saying. My grandma (born in 1920) said that it was not uncommon for girls not to know ANYTHING about sex, pregnancy, and delivery until they actually experienced these things. She says she had NO idea what would happen on her wedding night; most moms didn't talk about these things with their girls, and no one else talked about it, either. She said she went through her entire pregnancy wondering how the baby would get out; even her doctor didn't explain things to her. Contrast that with today's kids--even my own kids--who have seen pictures of babies in utero and have heard the birthing process described. Now, my kids don't know about how the baby gets in there, but the kids the talk show host was referring to are taught all about this at school, and are encouraged to have sex--to act as adults and make choices that only adults used to make--at very early ages. They are experiencing (and having to deal with the consequences of) things that only mature adults experienced and dealt with 60 years ago. I'm guessing this is all the person was saying, but I could be wrong.

I totally agree that we should focus on helping our children grow up as the Bible defines growing up. I like how you put it.

[futurehope]

Please know that I wasn't meaning to sound critical of the individual person. His comment just brought it to my mind how even christians (probably without realizing it) refer to worldly knowledge and these things that you described as part of growing up, when they, in fact, aren't at all. At least not the way they are exposed to it.

[Guest Guest]

Yes. Children have been growing up too quick. Having not even heard this broadcast...I would 100% agree with those studies. In fact, the decline (as most know) has been happening since the 1960's when major changes were taking place in the country and around the globe. Of course, the electronic generation has, in many ways, increased America's children... growing up before our very eyes. Remember...the original "latch key" kids? Breakdown of the traditional family, television, public education, drugs, sex...just to name a few.

My grandma (born in 1920) said that it was not uncommon for girls not to know ANYTHING about sex' date=' pregnancy, and delivery until they actually experienced these things. She says she had NO idea what would happen on her wedding night; most moms didn't talk about these things with their girls, and no one else talked about it, either. She said she went through her entire pregnancy wondering how the baby would get out; even her doctor didn't explain things to her.[/quote']

Good point, Sister Annie. That is how it was back then.



I know that...futurehope. It is just a fact of life. "A sign of the times."

[futurehope]

Yes. Children have been growing up too quick. Having not even heard this broadcast...I would 100% agree with those studies. In fact' date=' the decline (as most know) has been happening since the 1960's when major changes were taking place in the country and around the globe. Of course, the electronic generation has, in many ways, increased America's children... growing up before our very eyes. Remember...the original "latch key" kids? Breakdown of the traditional family, television, public education, drugs, sex...just to name a few.[/quote']

But that is exactly my point. These things are not "growing up"!!!! They are exactly the opposite. They are growing away from God and what he intended for the people he created. Why is it that we except these things as being part of growing up when they are truly a part of a great tearing down of our society?

[quinkie]

Before TV things were different. Children did not know as much, as early, as they do now. i was born in 1943, and my two brothers and two sisters did not even know our mother was pregnant until I was already born. It was not talked about. I was 20 years old, working in the business world when I heard the "f" word for the first time. Children today hear it as soon as they are born in many cases. The world has degenerated so much since the advent of TV. It is so sad.

[Bakershalfdozen]

IMO, he meant that the knowledge of such things is "growing up too fast". I've never taken drugs but I have knowledge of them and their effects that I attained as an adult - much more than as a child or teen. I didn't have a whole lot of knowledge concerning "adult" things as a kid or teen because I was sheltered. I'm in my mid-30s now and do have that knowledge.

[OLD fashioned preacher]

Before TV things were different. Children did not know as much' date=' as early, as they do now. i was born in 1943, and my two brothers and two sisters did not even know our mother was pregnant until I was already born. It was not talked about. I was 20 years old, working in the business world when I heard the "f" word for the first time. Children today hear it as soon as they are born in many cases. The world has degenerated so much since the advent of TV. It is so sad.[/quote']

My son is a missionary to Honduras -- he said there has been a MAJOR change in the country in just the last 6 years. Morality has been on a downward slide, dress has become more provocative, smoking has increased, common civility has declined.

6 years ago the US in trying to "improve the quality of life" in Honduras have made major efforts to expand the availability of TV broadcasting.

Coincidence??

[John81]

Children are absolutely not growing up too fast, and you it's right that knowledge or experimenting with drugs and/or sex isn't growing up.

That said, I do believe children are faced with too much sexual knowledge and experience that should not be part of their lives until they are older and/or married.

Much of the problem, as you and others point out, is due to public schools and TV; or more accurately, those parents who send their children to public schools and allow wicked TV programming in their homes.

While in times past the goal of parents was to train their children to be good adults (godly adults in the case of Christian parents) and to accomplish this as soon as possible, the goal of most parents today, both Christian and non-Christian, is to drag out childhood, refrain from teaching children reponsibility and the tasks and thinking necessary for adulthood. Couple this with parents tossing aside their God-given duty to bring up their children in the nurture and admonitions of the Lord by handing them over to the godless, sin-filled public school system, day cares and such and we have a generation of children who are spoiled, godless and knowing and experimenting with things they are ill prepared to deal with.

[Guest Guest]

Television has indeed greatly contributed to things such as children learning things they...shouldn't be learning about.
Thankfully, I have been brought up away from the non-clean shows on TV (though that applies to all of them now, basically).
I mostly just watch old TV shows, such as Bonanza; etc.
God bless,
Crushmaster.

[deafnva77]

I've seen kids who do not want to grow up. They want to be young forever like peter pan

I would think many farm kids in the past would know thing or two about the fact of life.

of course many kids back in those day got married around 16 or so.... (they didn't need to wait til they finish school to start a family)

but one thing that modern kids (and kids in the 50's and 60's) are exposed is sex before marriage because marriage is delayed longer and longer.

[Guest Guest]

I've seen kids who do not want to grow up. They want to be young forever like peter pan

I would think many farm kids in the past would know thing or two about the fact of life.

of course many kids back in those day got married around 16 or so.... (they didn't need to wait til they finish school to start a family)

but one thing that modern kids (and kids in the 50's and 60's) are exposed is sex before marriage because marriage is delayed longer and longer.

Yes, indeed. It is very sad.
Satan truly has a hold on people of my generation . I hope and pray revival will come to our country.
God bless,
Crushmaster.

[Annie]

Children are absolutely not growing up too fast, and you it's right that knowledge or experimenting with drugs and/or sex isn't growing up.

That said, I do believe children are faced with too much sexual knowledge and experience that should not be part of their lives until they are older and/or married.

Much of the problem, as you and others point out, is due to public schools and TV; or more accurately, those parents who send their children to public schools and allow wicked TV programming in their homes.

While in times past the goal of parents was to train their children to be good adults (godly adults in the case of Christian parents) and to accomplish this as soon as possible, the goal of most parents today, both Christian and non-Christian, is to drag out childhood, refrain from teaching children reponsibility and the tasks and thinking necessary for adulthood. Couple this with parents tossing aside their God-given duty to bring up their children in the nurture and admonitions of the Lord by handing them over to the godless, sin-filled public school system, day cares and such and we have a generation of children who are spoiled, godless and knowing and experimenting with things they are ill prepared to deal with.

Good points, John. I agree. So, I guess we could say that...Yes, kids ARE "growing up too fast" in that they are exposed to images and ideas and scenarios that once were limited to adult experience, and are expected to deal with these images and ideas in an adult way, which, as you said, "they are ill-prepared" to do. And....No, kids ARE NOT "growing up too fast" in that they seem to be stuck in adolescence until well into their thirties, playing video and computer games in their spare time, spending money like there's no tomorrow, dressing like their own teenagers, pitching fits if their little soccer player doesn't get enough playing time, behaving irresponsibly and then trying to avoid the consequences, etc.

[Guest Guest]

Yes, indeed. It is very sad.
Satan truly has a hold on people of my generation . I hope and pray revival will come to our country.
God bless,
Crushmaster.

about revival. However, repentance needs to come first. This nation heeds to suffer first before she is humbled to her knees. :smile

[JerryNumbers]

Seems to me you answered the question, America's modern ways when brought into a country their morality decreases and sin abounds

Children in America learn to much to early of which they are no mature enough to deal with, thus most of our children are corrupted before they graduate from high school.

Most entertainment that people enjoy is about sins against God, no wonder sin abounds even in our young people.