Preadolescence
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2008-07-09T00:18:32Z
EoGuy
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'''Preadolescence''' is a stage of [[Human development (biology)|human development]] through [[childhood]] that occurs in a child's years before [[adolescence]].<ref name="NOAD2">New Oxford American Dictionary. 2nd Edition. 2005. Oxford University Press.</ref> The point at which a child becomes an adolescent is usually defined by the onset of [[puberty]]. However, in some individuals (typically females), puberty begins in the preadolescence years,<ref name="adc.bmj.com">{{cite web| title=Onset of Breast and Pubic Hair Development in 1231 Preadolescent Lithuanian Schoolgirls |publisher=adc.bmj.com|accessdate=2007-12-06|url=http://adc.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/adc.2004.057612v1}}</ref> and may extend a few years beyond the teenage years in others (typically males).<ref name="rainbowpediatrics.net">{{cite web| title=Questions about Sex, Puberty, and Periods, for adolescents and their parents: 12. Puberty: Growing Up Early |publisher=rainbowpediatrics.net|accessdate=2007-12-06|url=http://www.rainbowpediatrics.net/faq/17.1.html}}</ref>
==Psychological development==
{{main|Developmental psychology}}
Preadolescent children have a different view of the world than younger children in several ways:
* May [[fear]] [[kidnappings]], [[rapes]], and scary media events, as opposed to fantasy things (i.e. witches, [[monster]]s, ghosts).
* Have more realistic [[job]] expectations ("I want to be an engineer when I grow up", as opposed to "I want to be a wizard".)
* Often have more [[chore]]s, such as mowing the lawn, delivering papers, collecting things from friends or relatives and shovelling snow in winter, or helping out in rural activities such as caring for livestock and hauling wood.
* View human [[relationship]]s differently (i.e. they may notice the flawed, human side of [[authority]] figures) .
* Begin to develop a sense of [[self]]-[[Identity (social science)|identity]].
* Have increased feelings of [[independence]].
* Have a different view on [[morality]].
* More mature, sensible, realistic thoughts and actions
* Often gain knowledge of [[sexual intercourse]].
* Are responsible for younger siblings and relatives, such as [[babysitting]].
* Experience [[limerence]] or [[Puppy Love]].
*Take adults calling them "cute," "sweetheart," and other baby names as an insult rather than a compliment.
Some schools attempt to develop these feelings through the use of lessons tailored specifically to preteens' developing worldview. For example, debates on touchy moral issues (i.e. [[drugs]] or [[alcohol]]) are sometimes introduced in the upper [[elementary school]] grades, as well as classes on current events.{{Weasel-inline}}{{Fact|date=October 2007}}
Preadolescents generally prefer certain [[brand]]s, and are a heavily targeted market of many advertisers. Their tendency to buy brand-name items may be due to a desire to fit in, although the desire is not as strong as it is with [[teenagers]]. Many of these brands include [[clothing]] and [[music]]. The modern [[Disney Channel]] is targeted generally for this age group along with teenagers (9 to 13 year olds) for example.
== Preteen ==
A '''preteen''' or a '''preteenager'''<ref name="NOAD2" /> is a person under the age of thirteen years of age.<ref name="MWCD11" /> Generally the term is restricted to those close to reaching the age of thirteen,<ref name="NOAD2" /> especially ages ten through twelve.<ref name="AHDEL4" />
== Tween ==
'''Tween''' is a [[neologism]] and [[marketing]] term,<ref name="FamiliarWithTweens">[http://tourismintelligence.ca/author/maithe/ Levasseur, Maïthé] (2007-02-09). [http://tourismintelligence.ca/2007/02/09/familiar-with-tweens-you-should-be/ Familiar with tweens? You should be...]. The Tourism Intelligence Network. Retrieved on 2007-12-04.
</ref> especially in the [[Western world|West]], which means roughly the same thing as preteen. It is a [[portmanteau]] of ''between'' and ''teen''.<ref name="MWCD11">Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Eleventh Edition. 2003. Merriam-Webster.</ref><ref name="AHDEL4">The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. Fourth Edition. 2000. Houghton Mifflin Company.</ref> The age range of tweens in generally considered to be eight to twelve years of age.<ref name="AHDEL4" /> Marketers describe the driving [[psychographic]] motivation of this group as desperately wanting to be a teen, but not about to stop being a kid.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} The term was first used in J.R.R. Tolkien's 1954 novel [[The Lord of the Rings]] to refer to [[Hobbits]] in their twenties.
==See also==
*[[Precocious puberty]]
== References ==
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{{reflist}}
Myers, James. "Tweens and cool" [http://www.admapmagazine.com/pdfs/myers.pdf], ''Admap'', March 2004.
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[[Category:Demographics]]
[[Category:Consumer behaviour]]
[[Category:Marketing]]
[[Category:Childhood]]
[[Category:Human development]]
[[Category:Youth]]