From coast to coast, we have quickly and suddenly become obsessed with prepubescent tweens. We have replaced the very grown-up allure and sex appeal of Cindy Crawford and Brad Pitt with cradle dwellers Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. The demand to see a radically younger group of celebrities in the pages of Star and Us Weekly has grown immensely pushing these cherub-faced tweens to grow up faster. 

MSNBC has recently touched upon a disturbing issue. It appears that girls ranging from ages 8-12 are visiting spas in search of bikini waxes and dermabrasion treatments. At an age when the body has barely begun to develop, image-obsessed mothers are pushing their children to look like supermodels.

Earlier this year, Philadelphia Magazine released an article reporting on the issue of little girls getting sophisticated spa treatments and the stories of mothers and daughters getting bikini waxes together to bond. Growing up, I wasn’t even allowed to paint my nails or wear short skirts but now little girls are tottering around in heels and skimpy outfits with perfectly arched eyebrows and a full face of makeup.

This touchy subject of primped preteens also raises the issue of the underage Chinese Olympic gymnasts. Before the Chinese toddlers hit the beam at the Olympics, I was convinced this tween fascination was purely American. Unfortunately, the entire world is pushing its children into looking and acting older. 

At 20, I have only gotten two pedicures and very few manicures. I have never had my hair colored and never, ever had a facial. My eyebrows were not done until I reached high school and my parents forbade the application of makeup until my sophomore year in high school (also when I was given my first cell phone but that's another issue). 

I know this will not be the last time I hear about overtly sexual preteens, given the numerous Miley Cyrus scandals, but it is sad to think their childhood has been stolen so early. Childhood is about being pure and innocent not strutting the streets in Louboutin pumps and making bikini wax appointments at European spas. I got through my awkward ugly years and they made me who I am today, maybe these babies should be taught to do the same.