Kids that aren’t kids

What is it with kids these days? Why don’t they look like kids?

My dad’s friend brought her grandkids with her one evening. The 10-year-old actually looked 10, but the 12-year-old looked like a mini-teenager. Granted, she’s on the edge of being a teen, but she looked well into teen-dom. The way she carried herself was the big difference - head high, movements sure and graceful. I don’t remember being so distinctly feminine when I was 12. Baggy jeans and clothes that didn’t quite fit were the rage then. Not that I was one to follow the fads if they didn’t suit me. It just so happened I liked loose clothes. The jeans I bought when I was 12 would still be too big for me even now.

Her jeans fit her pretty well, bordering on the too well part. She had a really sweet smile, so that was a saving factor. I saw no hint of a spoiled princess or angst-ridden brat, but given how she dressed like a teen and jabbered on her cell phone, I can see why her grandmother still worries. Nice kids like that are easy to influence if someone doesn’t guide them. I’ve known some decent kids who were corrupted in one form or the other during their teens. Americans call it growing up. Yeah. Sure.

These same American values are spreading to other countries. Like I said to a co-worker after he reasoned, “You’re not in the Philippines anymore. You’re in America now.” — just because it’s American doesn’t mean it’s right. I said that in a different context but it applies here too.

Going back, one cool thing about the kid is that she and the rest of her family have black belts. That oughta make people think twice. Interesting tidbit - apparently there are more little girls than little boys taking up martial arts these days. That’s kind of awesome. I wonder what their generation will be like, considering the girls will be able to beat up the boys.