It's not easy being tween, 10 year olds with eating disorders, etc

[The Straight Story]

IT'S NOT EASY BEING TWEEN
Between their childhood and teen years, kids are growing up faster than ever before. Are parents prepared?

BY MARK BARNA, Californian staff writer
e-mail: [e-mail] | Saturday, Feb 10 2007 9:50 PM

Last Updated: Saturday, Feb 10 2007 9:56 PM

Jenna Papasergia likes to wear clothes by Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch.

11-year-old Jenna Papasergia is what many would consider a tween. Many feel that children between the ages of 8 to 13, known as tweens, are growing up too quickly.

A generation ago, such brand consciousness in an 11-year-old would've been amazing. But these days, middle school hallways overflow with children dressing and acting like hip teenagers -- with all the dangers that go with it.

"I think the girls are facing issues like body image earlier than they used to," said Stacy Papasergia, Jenna's mom. "My daughter tells me there's a girl in her class who sticks her finger down her throat if she eats too much."

This is the wobbly world of tweens, those 8- to 13-year-olds whom experts say are maturing faster than ever before.

Some are hosting parties that include beer and lewd acts. They listen to music, log on to Internet blogs and watch movies sprinkled with sexual references.

Eating disorders are occurring in 10-year-olds. Many as early as third grade are thinking not about schoolwork and coloring books but how to be popular with the opposite sex.

http://www.bakersfield.com/619/story/99162.html

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. big corporations promote it

look at all the money they are making out of promoting tween fashion and sex!