I have a question for Kathy Dettwyler:

I've been noticing that most of the girls in my daughter's fifth grade
class are almost as tall as me, "budding" breasts and are showing other
signs of puberty.  Looking at pictures of myself and my friends at their
age, we looked a lot more child-like.  We didn't start to mature until
we entered jr. high.  Is this my imagination?  My gyn says that girls
are entering puberty earlier than they did 50 years ago.  Could even
one generation make a difference?  I'd also like to know if early
puberty is more widespread in western/industrialized countries.  I'm
concerned mainly because emotionally these girls aren't ready to become
teenagers even though they think they are.  Geez, even the first graders
are embarrased to play with dolls.

TIA.  Susan Nachman-Srebrnik. IBCLC  Ranana, Israel