And when Pauline agrees to give the boys 'a show', all of Bill's friends look, but he hesitates and stands back. Later, Dawn gives birth, and while little Sue curiously inquires about the sticky stuff, Bill passes out. Even on the movie screen, Bill can't help but cover his eyes in disgust during a mushy scene. Middle childhood is also characterized by a shift from the attention of parents to peers. The peer group serves as testing ground for anti-parental behavior.
Group are often concerned with cursing and brave acts, and form elite memberships.
The leader of the gang sips a glass of sherry, hands out jewels from his hoard, and plays around with live ammunition. Bill is drawn into the group when he trespasses in their territory looking for shrapnel. Bill soon finds being a member isn't all it's cracked up to be. Shortly after his family's house burns down, the members feel no compunction in turning his house into new wrecking territory. Bill picks a fight with the leader, but the boys make fun of him and flee.