Little Adults: How Children are Being Pushed to Grow up Fast

By: Dr Robyn Silverman Click author's name for more of his/her articles

While people might argue to let "kids be kids," our actions say something different all together. And as you know, actions always speak louder than words.

Here are 5 ways children are being pushed to behave like little adults way too early in their lives:

(1) Stuck inside: Remember when our parents would tell us to go outside and play? Many children are playing inside these days out of fear, laziness, or caretaker excuses (i.e. too busy, otherwise occupied, too messy, not equipped). But kids need to play outside for healthy development. They also need it in order to become more involved with nature--if we want them to care about it, they need to interact with it!

(2) Going to the gym: The news has recently shown a new trend emerging. Children are going to the gym instead of doing more tradition after-school programs like ballet, martial arts, and gymnastics! In fact, last year, 1.3 million children between the ages of 6 to 11 were members of a health club (IHRSA). What ever happened to monkey bars, bike riding, and swimming? Shouldn't we feel concerned that by the time these children feel they "have to" go to the gym (as adults), they'll be bored of doing it!

(3) Medicated: The AAP has now started recommending statins, traditionally an adult medication, for children as young as 8 years old in order to lower cholesterol. Experts tell us that this can be very dangerous. In addition, we're setting up children to be on these medications for life. It's another push-button response to a fast-paced world.

(4) Waxed: This will likely infuriate you or at least cause you to shake your head. Parents are taking their children to get "waxed" just like Mommy. Some of the children are as young as 6 years old. Spas are waxing the legs, arm pits, and other areas in order to rid children of their "virgin hair". The trend is becoming more and more common. In fact, the International Spa Association says that over half of the 14,000 spas in the U.S. offer packages for families, teens or children.

(5) Overfed: They might call them kid's meals but they are anything but. Studies are showing that the majority of kids menus in most fast food restaurant chains are too high in calories, fat, and sodium for children. Some meals can pack over 70% of a child's daily calories into one meal!

So are we really allowing kids to be kids? You be the judge. Seems to me that we're heading in the wrong direction—and fast.