Some of you guys speak of the positive virtues of tweens practicing sex so they'll be better at it when they're older. I don't recommend that as a good reason (and as regular readers may have noticed, I don't support the legality of adults helping girls obtain such experience)

I do have to laugh that with all human experiences people say how important it is for adults to show children and help them and guide them and teach them and that hands on is the best method. However with sex and sexuality it's a hands off, read this book, keep a lot of distance approach.

However, girls do have to get used to a lifetime of being whistled at and mentally undressed and all -- and the prettier they are, the more of it they have to deal with.

Get used to? Very subjective. Not to mention a universal human experience of any gender for those attractive enough. It is all in how you view it. Though it can get annoying.

My hunch is that they might appreciate some of the protectiveness too.

Agreed. It really depends on how the person tries to protect them.