not only were those kids back then much more mature and responsible,they probably also knew how to farm, how to sew and cook, how to take care of children, how to build a house and hunt and fish and cut wood for the fire among other things.....
now kids today may LOOK older.....they may start growing boobs early etc.....and certainly sex is everywhere and not only that, ENCOURAGED everywhere, from schools to music to books to movies....
but kids are NOT mature.....they have not learned self control,responsibility, or how to postpone gratification......
I fear for this country....
they are not learning to think.
Let me add one thing: the average graduate of the 8th grade in 1905 probably could read, writes and do arithmatic better than the averahe high school graduate today. Likewise a person with two years of high school could outperform the average college graduate today. High school became largely a social experince, especially after the Great Depression, during which the country expanded secondary education to keep 14-17 year olds in school in order to keep them out of the work force.