This is very worrisome.

We already know that Americans have a bigger army than us, a bigger economy than us (still?) and a lot more influence around the world (see Britney, Paris, Brangelina etc.) along with a much cooler leader and even cooler wife.

And now we learn from Statistics Canada that American kids are having more fun with sex, drugs and booze than our Canadian kids.

Certainly, a vital part of my growing up involved sex, drugs and booze. And I don't know how anyone can truly grow up and march boldly out into the world as a real person without practice, experience (and some abuse) in these areas.

The only consolation I can find is that recent research indicates that the last part of the human brain to mature is the part that governs cause and effect. Apparently it doesn't click in until a human is around 24 years old.

So, thankfully, there's still time for the next Canadian generation to get its act together and make us proud again.


(Samantha Jones is a Canadian journalist publishing her erotic memoir at www.lulu.com)