On Mon, 16 Feb 2004 20:55:18 EST, (beeswing) wrote:

Cheryl wrote:

Well, my mum knew when I asked for one. She very carefully explained
to me that it wasn't necessary for me to have one when I first asked
for one since I had no breasts at all and asked me if I would be happy
with a camisole top with bra style adjustable straps. Since I
actually wanted it for the way it looked under clothes rather than
needing one this was a good solution for me at the time. Eventually I
started bouncing a little when I would do sport so I bought a bra then
for comfort. I think when a girl needs it for comfort during activity
is the best time to start.

How old were you when you actually wanted one? I actually can't remember *ever*
wanting a bra.

I honestly cannot remember. I know when I needed one was definitely by
the time I was in year 9, which was by about 15 since I was older than
most kids in my class. It may have been at 14, but definitely not
before 13. However there were some girls in my class who were wearing
bras when we started high school (in Australia there is no junior
high, so it's around age 12-13, 8th year of formal schooling), the
majority started wearing them by the end of that year or the beginning
of the next. So I probably asked for one about halfway through year
7, so at around age 13 and actually needed one about a year later.

However girls do seem to be maturing faster now than all those many
years ago (ha ha) when I was at school, I wouldn't be surprised at 11
and 12 year olds needing bras. 9 seems very young for it though, it
sounds more like a societal pressure than an actual requirement. The
fact that they are being sold in major department stores with sizes
for 8-10 year olds may be enough to convince some adults and their
daughters that they are necessary but I don't think they really are
for most girls at that age.


--
Cheryl
Mum to DS#1 (11 Mar 99), DS#2 (4 Oct 00)
and DD (30 Jul 02)