Young children still in primary school should always be monitored……back in the late 70’s when I was in primary…..the grade 5 and grade 6 were known to go to the back of the school grounds which were concealed by shrubbery, gave each other the ‘frigid’ test! I also witnessed such sexualised behaviour! This is not a new thing…..but I should hope that teacher are more vigilant in school yard supervision! Children are over exposed with sexualised imagery…..I still find it difficult to watch tv shows, movies were young teenage girls are engaging in sex as if that is normal, wearing low cut tops where half their breasts are exposed! This also ties with party companies that offer ” model” birthday themed parties! Therefore I do support this principal however i do believe discussion about puberty needs to be discussed as there are more young girls reaching puberty as young as 9. There is no point in a blanket rule with explanation it will only incite undesirable behavior!

Kids are definitely getting exposed to adult concepts earlier but by the same token schools are overreacting a little, I heard of a six year old boy being suspended recently for kissing, personally I think this negative reinforcement will cause more harm than good in the long term.

Hopefully I won’t have to talk about “Girlfriend/Boyfriend for a while yet…

Where has all the innocence gone. Kids cant even be kids

Some interesting thoughts to ponder

Surely the children can have a discussion? Acting on it is another matter. Sounds very limiting though.

I whole heartedly agree with the headmaster

We live in a very over sexualised world now. As a previous poster wrote kids are growing up fast now watching TV shows that show sex as a casual thing. Even Home and Away does. I’m shocked by how much sex is on there now. We expose our kids to music videos with scantily clad women in them and these women are their idols. They want to be like Miley or whoever. Even the clothes especially for little girls are often so inappropriate in my opinion. So I don’t think it’s such a bad idea to get our kids to step back for awhile. They have their whole adult lives to have relationships and all the dramas that come with that.

I agree with the Headmaster, great that he brought this to the table. Too many kids are having young romances and some parents are encouraging them by offering dates at the movies and then a pizza. We need to encourage lovely friendships and include others. I personally love the kids having group outings and parent involvement. Class picnic’s and swimming pool outings are great. No romantic get together’s!

Some very interested points to remember

I really don’t know how I’m going to bring this subject up with my daughter when she is older enough to understand.
Might send her to her nanna for the talk

Sexualisation is not appropriate and is alarming in young kids. But my 6 year old talks a lot about getting married and having kids, when he grows up. He’s even got a crush on our friend daughter and tells me he wants to marry her when he grows up! It so cute. It’s just talk and is harmless!

My brother, when he was in grade 3, used to hold wedding ceremonies on the school oval with the other boys and girls in his class. I was in grade 6 at the time and would walk past and think how cute it was.

I too remember back to when I was at school and the topic of boyfriends didn’t arise until at least grade 9. I see young girls and boys growing up too quickly these days. Kids need to be kids not young adults. It reminds me of an article I read the other day about a craze stared and supported by scientologists where you treat your babies like little adults. They whole thing was bizarre but it seems to be growing. We talk to our children like adults, we treat them like adults it’s no wonder they want to act like adults! I say bring back the innocence of our children and let them be children for as long as possible. I support this guys views whole heartily.

I do agree with this. These days with all the tv shows and songs encouraging kids to grow up fast, I’m sure they can wait a few more years at school before being a couple. People seem to have forgotten what it means to be a child. I always see too many examples of children about 10 wearing high heels, slutty outfits and a face full of make up. It’s so sad to see them heavily pierced, dyed and tattooed at highschool too.

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  • • hopefullyheidi replied
    • 16 Feb 2014 , 2:27 pm

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  A few years ago in some of the department stores they seem to have brought out what I consider younger versions of clothes for adults that I would even wear as they would be too revealing etc. I totally agree with
  What u are saying.

I think kids need to be kids & while I encourage my daughter to have friends that are boys she knows at 8 that it is too young to have a boyfriend – like 2 of her friends. I know it completely innocent but at such a young age there is no need.

Interesting to say the least, I’m actually not sure what to make of it and I’m thinking back to when I was little as well as my girls. I had no idea this was even an issue… so long as it doesn’t stop girls or boys having friends with other girls or boys… friendships are important.

i think there is no need for young romance, friendships yes, but thats wear the line is drawn

There is a difference between innocent friendship and courting. Kids need to know how to have healthy friendships with both sexes. A normal part of growing up well adjusted.

Thank goodness for this Headmaster with some sense !
Its about time some parents who are lacking are now being lead in the right direction as its a disgrace when you hear children whom aren’t even in Highschool talking of boyfriends and girlfriends.
At primary school all boys and girls should be to each other are friends – why push children to grow up quicker? Why is it that when a girl is friends with a boy she is some how taunted by other children that the boy is her “boyfriend” or “she’s going to marry him” why is there a relationship status …. they are both equals on the playground, both human beings, have similar interests why isn’t friends or best friends enough – Its up to us as Parents & thankfully Schools to make these lines as when lines are blurred problems arise.