Preteen

A preteen is a preadolescent child, i.e. one that is younger than a teenager but older than a Kindergartener. Usually children between approximately age 7 and 13 are called preteens.

Physical Apearance
In the real world Preteens are usually prepubescents, i.e. they have not reached puberty, but this is not always the case with some children starting puberty as young as eight or nine. Their bodies have not yet begun to produce male or female hormones which are responsible for the typical male and female body features of adults. Preteens have no pubic hair and little or no other body hair either. Preteen girls have generally not yet developed the typical fat tissues of women at the thighs and buttocks and have undeveloped breasts. Preteen boys have less muscles, no beards, and their penises and testicles are still small.

According to Lurking Dragon in the Rejuve Universe it was decided that even adolescents lack the emotional maturity to handle the hormonal issues that accompany puberty, and that the look, size, strength and body type of one who has not begun puberty was easier to discipline and punish. Because of these a treatment was developed to delay puberty until the teenage years meaning that in many rejuve stories children retain preteen features well into Adolescence. The success of the technique has even inspired similar treatments for other species.

Mentally
Preteens have not yet reached the abilities and interests of teenagers, but differ from small children in that they are not primarily occupied with play.

With respect to independence:


 * Teens tend to want independent activity from their parents and can handle it most of the day.
 * Preteens desire such independence, but don't typically handle it other than for short periods.
 * Younger than preteens want independent action (doing things themselves) but tend to not want to be away from their parents.

Rejuve Universe
Children in the Preteen age group vary a great deal but as a large number of rejuves fall into this age group they make up the bulk of the preteen market. While Kindern are often intellectually and socially challenged at this age most preteen rejuves are given a great deal more freedom than a Kindern of this age, the only exception being Pennies who are deemed untrustworthy.

The preteen years are also the main schooling years for rejuves, with rejuves in this agegroup going through school in a completely different environment and complex to those of Kindern children. This is done in recognition of the child's prior learning and previous adulthoods.