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     It was my little sisters birthday yesterday. She was 16. I find myself being horrified by the fact that she is now of legal age to have sex. Just the mere thought of my little sister even doing anything remotely sexual with another person makes me feel very queasy, but then, when I think about it, I probably did a lot of things while I was growing up that if I had an older sister, she would probably feel the same way about it as I do just thinking about it now.
     Its strange how even though I am only 5 years older than my sister, so in the same generation, to think that kids her age are under age drinking, becoming very curious about the opposite (or same) sex, and generally doing more and more things that adults do, make makes me feel extremely uneasy, and sometimes even very judgemental, yet, I did the same a mere 5 or so years ago.
     Maybe its because I'm her big sister, and I've seen the late teenage years not that long ago, I have a pretty good idea what goes on, whereas my parents don't seem to be so bothered by it.
     Although, I am quite relieved that my sister is very much like me. Nerdy, conscientious, quiet, reserved, and so on. It's those girls who grow up too quickly that I worry about, those who my mother still mistakes as people I would probably know, even though they are about 14. I know I am very concious about what is on show, and I am very old fashioned in my ways, but some of the items of clothing these kids are wearing, I wouldn't even accept a 20 something wearing it. It's not just the clothes that bothers me, its the general lifestyle choices that these kids make. Up until I even went to Comprehensive school at the age of 11, I still, on the occasion, played with my dolls, whereas, even in the short amount of time since I was 11, I've heard kids as young as 6 or 7 being bullied, because they still play with dolls and such. Kids are meant to play with toys. Your still a kid until you start puberty, and even then, there is question to whether you play with 'kids toys' should really be that much of a taboo.
      The point is, you can't stop a child from growing up, trying new things, and the like, but I do believe that those who do start 'growing up' from a younger age than necessary is really, well, unnecessary. Apart from that, if a child grows up too quick, its going to miss its childhood, and that is something that is so precious, if you missed it, then you've MISSED IT.