Moms Talk: Are Kids Growing Up Too Fast?

A recent controversy over an Abercrombie & Fitch bikini for preteens raised a question in the minds of many: Are America's kids growing up too fast?

The clothing retailer initially marketed its "Ashley push-up" triangle bikini to girls as young as 7 years old, drawing the ire of mental-health experts, sociologists and parents alike.

Abercrombie has since "re-categorized" the bikini, and is now marketing it to girls 12 years old and older.

But that question, and others connected to it, remains in my head.

Are we allowing our kids to grow up too fast? Are we as a society perhaps even "helping" the maturation process along? Should we do more to keep our 7- and 8-year-old girls focused on homework, soccer practice and Barbie instead of lipstick and boys?

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