2.4.12

little women.... {yikes}

{re-post from The Baby Bump Blog}

I read this article in the New York Times and it really startled me. It's an interesting and really uncomfortable read for moms with daughters, but probably good to check out. 

The gist is that girls are entering puberty as early as KINDERGARTEN.

And one of the largest contributing factors is stress in the home (defined as absent fathers, present step-fathers, adoption and integration issues, etc).

Here's an excerpt:
Family stress can disrupt puberty timing as well. Girls who from an early age grow up in homes without their biological fathers are twice as likely to go into puberty younger as girls who grow up with both parents. Some studies show that the presence of a stepfather in the house also correlates with early puberty. Evidence links maternal depression with developing early. Children adopted from poorer countries who have experienced significant early-childhood stress are also at greater risk for early puberty once they’re ensconced in Western families...

We know that girls who develop ahead of their peers tend to have lower self-esteem, more depression and more eating disorders. They start drinking and lose their virginity sooner. They have more sexual partners and more sexually transmitted diseases. “You can almost predict it” ...says Tonya Chaffee... Half of the patients in her clinic are or have been in the foster system. She sees in the outlines of their early-developing bodies the stresses of their lives — single parent or no parent, little or no money, too much exposure to violence.
Things it's reminded me of:
  1. Childhood traumas (even from such a young age) have such a impact on children down the line.
  2. There will be damage that we will never be able to un-do 
  3. The family unit, when thriving, does so much to bless a child or children. Far beyond what I'd imagined, even to the physical development of a person. Wow.
  4. I need to be praying for our future child(ren) in specific ways. Thinking right now if we adopt a daughter, how she may be impacted and how I can be praying...

3 comments:

  1. I remember hearing about this on Oprah years ago and freaking out. So frightening.

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  2. Wow.
    From a girl who grew up with no father figure, I know firsthand how important it is for little girls to know that they are loved. Whether they enter puberty early, on-time, or late, if they are showered with love, if they know that there is someone in their life who truly loves, cherishes, protects and provides for them, they will be less likely to fall into bad habits (like drinking, drugs, losing their virginity early, etc.).

    Also, I think it's super important for a mom to teach her daughter that her body is special, beautiful, created by God, a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). That's something that my mum always taught me, and it stuck with me throughout my teen years.

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    Replies
    1. amazing point Linds. I think the article said at one point that a crucial way to deal with the really early puberty in girls was for the parents to be very present and encouraging. It's sad that a womans body would be forced on a girl at SUCH a young age because of mostly factors they have no control over, but dealing in a proper way is so key. Or really, as you said, in any situation, early puberty or not.
      I always felt SO uncomfortable being as tall as I am (no boys were my height, I had to stand in the back row with the boys in school pictures, or worse, across from the teacher!), but my mom always did (and still does) say "Tall is BEAUTIFUL!".

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