Growing Up Is Hard—But Harder Than It Used to Be?

It’s an article of faith among parents: Growing up is harder for today’s youngsters than it was for us. Like so many parental opinions, though, this one isn’t necessarily shared by the kids. Consider the results of a study commissioned jointly by Nickelodeon, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Children Now. Among parents of 8-15-year-olds, 71 percent said growing up is harder now, versus 14 percent saying it’s easier. Among the kids themselves, 32 percent said it’s harder to grow up now than when their parents were youngsters, but 42 percent said it’s easier.