Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 79
79 CHAPTER 5 MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS “ Every child is born true to nature. It is his parents who make of him a Jew or a Christian or a Magian. ” 5. 1 INTRODUCTION The middle school period covers ages 11 to 13 years, which coincides with the beginning of adolescence. This signifies the transition from childhood to adulthood. During this period, children undergo considerable emotional and physical changes associated with puberty. Aside from the obvious hormonal and physical changes, the most marked change in children in this age range is their emerging independence with less reliance on parents. This leads to the general perception in Western society that these years are difficult and stressful with much conflict between parents and adolescents over school, friends and social activities. Ahmadi Muslim parents, in addition to these issues, have to worry about whether their adolescent performs Salat regularly, will observe Purdah, avoid contact with the opposite gender and respect their parents. Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih IV (rh) in his address of July 6, 1991 warned: “ When children grow up (in your case example of little girls is more appropriate) the attitudes of these girls begin to change. When their hairstyles, the manner of their dress, their smiles, and the method of their entertainment become obvious, then you realize that they have changed their direction. At that time, whatever you do will have no effect. Prayers do produce some result but my observation is that prayers are comparatively less effective in the case of these