You know, it's funny.  When I was in school (probably a lot more recently
that most on this list), kid's bodies didn't go through any puberty-like
changes until sixth or seventh grade (around eleven or twelve years old).  
Most people I knew didn't need deodorant, nor did they need to shave.  
(Okay, yes, there was that one guy, probably in every school, but he was 
the exception, not the rule.)  And before that point, girls had cooties and 
who wanted to touch them, anyway?

But when my wife was getting her teaching credential and student teaching
fourth grade, there seemed to be a startling change.  Kids as young as
eight and nine were starting to need deodorant and even showed some signs
of sexual activity (mild though they may have been).  (This is in addition
to activity that can be traced to abuse, which has probably always existed,
though probably more hidden in years past.)

I won't even try to speculate on the causes, but where the thought that a 
six year old would even be capable of sexual harrasment would have outraged 
me a few years ago, I can now merely disagree with their assertion that 
there was a possiblity of inappropriate intent.  With the current trend, I 
guess it's not really out of the realm of possibilies.  I just find it highly 
unlikely that this kid had ANY idea of the implications of his actions.

Sign of the times, I guess.

Dave

On Wed, Feb 08, 2006 at 12:43:07PM -0500, James Reynolds wrote:
> It was bound to happen...... Just a bit of over reaction imho!
>  
> James
>  
>  
>  
>  
> http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=1591633
>  
> James R. Reynolds
> HP 3000 System Engineer
> Time-Life Customer Service,Inc
> 2600 International Pkwy
> Virginia Beach, VA, 23452
> Phone:  757-427-7784
> Cell:  757-651-8735
> Email:   [log in to unmask]
> I am careful not to confuse Excellence with Perfection.  Excellence I
> can reach for. Perfection is God's Business.   Michael J. Fox
> 
>  
>  
>  
> 
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-- 
+-----------------David Oksner-----http://www.case.net/-----------------+
|Your conscience never stops you from doing anything.  It just stops you|
|from enjoying it.                                                      |
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