Tween Girls Speak Up About Gay Rights, Teen Pregnancy and Homelessness

The first ever National Tween Girl Summit will be held in Washington, DC on October 10, 2009.  300 girls, ages 9-14,  will have a platform – their platform -  to speak up and be heard.  If you think Jonas Brothers, clothes and boys are the only things that are important to tween girls, think again.  We asked tween girls what they want to cover at the Summit… what they have to say isn’t kid stuff:

“We should do stuff like global warming, going green, teen pregnancy, the economy these days.. Gay rights, drugs being forced or peer pressure, bullying, homelessness…”

“I think it’s important that all of us girls come together to help the world because when we grow up, we are going to have jobs, and take care of our elders.  And if we don’t do something now, then earth will be polluted, starvation won’t get any better, and it will be too late.”

“community service… abuse… teen pregnancy…”

“We need to empower girls all over the world… At school, in malls, at home… everywhere there are girls who are put down for just being girls.  That is unfair and unjust.”

“We want to let you know what we think about growing up as an American girl in 2009.  Stuff we worry about may shock you.  Everything from the environment, to personal appearance, to education, the economy and mostly our future.  What will it be like when we’re the adults?

“We should talk about how teens get left out of history!  We can’t make any decisions for our country!  We should be able to have some opinion about global warming!  Also I think we should talk about how innocent children in America have to live in SERIOUS poverty because of the economy!  How we have to live horribly just because our dads or moms got laid off!  Also the poor animals – we should get systems that help even more than now!”

“How the economy is struggling – in our point of view, of course. You should also speak about having more programs that offer a discount for extra-curricular school activities.  I know a lot of my friends had to quit, or are in danger of quitting rewarding and fulfilling activities because they cost too much money, and the really sad part is, they’re all very talented.

“We need to talk about education.  Mainly testing and the presure we face everyday.  I think we should voice our opinion of Iraq and Afghanistan… As well as our opinion on minoor issues (in comparison) such as driving limits, the legal drinking age, drugs and the pressures tweens/teens have to face these days… Most adults don’t think we have much of an opinion when it comes to politics… I don’t see a difference between democrats and republicans… I see Americans.”