Little Big Girls

Little Big Girls looks at the increasingly common occurrence of early-onset puberty in girls—sometimes as young as 8 or 9—providing an overview of possible causes and the subsequent impact on physical health and social development. Researchers from Canada, Europe, and the United States explain the attendant health risks of this phenomenon, which may be partially triggered by genetics but is more likely to appear in obese individuals, and is associated later on with diabetes and heart disease. The film argues that modern household products and everyday activities can expose youngsters to endocrine-disrupting substances, and experts believe that environmental factors not only trigger early puberty but scramble the usual signs, making normal development difficult to track. The heart of the documentary, however, lies in conversations with several young women who underscore the social and emotional effects, talking about what it's like to look and feel different from their peers, how they were bullied or otherwise socially outcast, and the ongoing impact of growing up with the sense of being out of step (they also describe participating in sexual activity at shockingly young ages). Filmmaker Hélène Choquette intersperses interviews and childhood photos with voiceover narration and lighthearted animation. Emphasizing communication, sex education, and an awareness of possible consequences, this insightful film—presented in both English and French versions—is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)