A 6-year old in California brought marijuana, a pipe and a lighter to his class for show-and-tell. Children are having sex at younger and younger ages, and it's not that rare anymore to hear of seventh graders becoming pregnant. Children are growing up too fast. They are missing out on the simplicity and happiness of childhood.

Maybe because it's not easy for children today. Not to say it was easy to be a child during the 1970s or 1960s, but times are much different. Kids are bombarded daily with all kinds of messages about what's cool and what's not.

Many of the problems that exist in the lives of children today did not exist in the lives of their parents or grandparents. During the 1940s, major problems in public schools amounted to little more than chewing gum, talking, running in the halls and making noise.

One of the reflections of that change can be found in the media, especially music. During the 1950s, Elvis' twisting yet fully clothed hips outraged and appalled many parents.

However, about 40 years later, famous rappers Tupac and Biggie Smalls would be murdered. Pop stars such as Christina Aguilera and Janet Jackson would appear almost nude on magazine covers. Actors, such as Tim Allen from "Home Improvement," would be caught using illegal substances, such as cocaine.

Children view celebrities as gods. They want to repeat the celebrities' every move, from singing to acting to drug abuse. Perhaps if celebrities performed more good than bad children would have better role models to look up to.

But what if the celebrities don't change? Don't worry. It is just as important that parents monitor what a child sees and hears in the media anyway.

They have an obligation to let children know what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. They should talk to them while they are young. Parents should make their children feel comfortable around them from the beginning, so that down the road when big problems occur they will be much easier to solve.

However, not every child has a parent to turn to for such advice. Where that is the case, chldren can find positive role models and someone to talk to through community programs. One of those is the Pupil Assistance in Learning program - known as PAL - in the Elmira school district.

The child is matched with a mentor who will help the child through any problems he or she may face. Also, adults and children who are older should consider becoming a PAL mentor. It is a way to make a change in a child's life, a way for the child to become more self-confident, and a way for the child to have a long and regret-free childhood.

This is cache, read story here