Growing Up by Brielle

There comes a time where we all grow up. We think that those of the opposite gender are now cootie-free. Tag and Hide and Go Seek are no longer our games of choice. Holding hands replaces a fair distance. We are growing up.

In 5th grade only 44% of students were going out with someone of the opposite gender. Dating is now in. 57% have a partner this year. Why the peak? During puberty, the body creates a hormone in both girls and boys. This hormone, testosterone for boys and estrogen for girls, tell the body and mind to enter puberty. For example, girls begin to like boys and boys begin to like girls. Thus, the peak.

But, who you like isn’t all that happens. Your hobbies begin to change too! Running around and playing games are overridden by talking on the phone and telling secrets. Your mind grows out of these things and they are no longer appealing to you. 77% of 4th graders do everything but sit and talk during recess. But in 7th grade over half of us just wanna chill. So, changes have occurred but it’s just a part of growing up.


So, how many kids are going out? Are there many? Well, actually almost every time you see a boy and a girl together they are flirting. Hugging, playfully pushing, or cute teasing is everywhere! Why? Well, some do it because they like the person and some do it because their friends are doing it. Some are literally just teasing, but we all do it. No matter what we do we all flirt, some more than others but we all do. Whether we like it or not.


Now we’ve finished flirting and have a partner. So, what do you do? Hug, hold hands, just talk, maybe even…. kiss? Well, most students enjoy their time with their partner, but what do they do? Well, 23% said that just sit and talk, 13% hold hands, 18% hug, and 18% kiss! Wow! But what about in school? 9% hold hands, 17% hug, 13% wave, 21% talk, and 11% pass notes. So, no matter what they do they feel their time is well spent.

Well, where ever you may chill with them there is bound to be an adult, right? Well, some times. 4% of students say they are always supervised. 22% say sometimes. 30% say no, not really, and a whopping 44% say they are never supervised. Wow!

So, as you see, in 7th grade we really start to change. No more cooties and tag. We've grown up, but we are still growing. So, be there for us because we could al ways use some help growing up!