Posted on Mar 29, 2012
Interest
on Aug 8, 2003
Stumblers Who Commented On This Page
Shadow-Myth
ShadowMyth
I had a lot of mixed feelings about this article. In ancient times people lived in tribes, close knit groups that helped one another survive and enjoy life through the company of one another. In the modern world we are told we need to leave home at 18, and separate from our parents to stake our own claim. I think the older ways are more satisfying, nurturing, and are the roots of what family really means. However, in this article it shows a growing infantile perception and way of living amongst adults that I think is a bit too extreme. Living with ones parents after 18 is one thing, but to not pay for your own way is another.
Another issue is toys. Just 100 years ago toys were miniaturized tools to teach children skills for their future lives as adults. Dolls were to teach children how to care for their own children, and they were given real tools to learn real skills. The root meaning of the word 'toy' is gear, tools, or equipment. Since industrialization, the need to learn real skills was diminished, and childhood was extended beyond the age it was previously. Most people were considered to be adults by the ages of 13-15. By this point they had developed real skills for survival. These children had real purpose.
With the advent of toys though that served no real purpose beyond imagination, children began to be less capable and remain more infantile, thus becoming more selfish and self absorbed. The events of the last 100 years have slowly come together to cultivate a society of adults who have no real purpose, because they lack real functional skills and meaning to their lives. The first years of our lives are critical in deciding who we will become as adults, and if these early years are only filled with purposeless pursuits and abstract data(school), then what foundations are laid for our futures?
Industrialization has created a world where basic life skills have been lost, and real meaning is obscure.
Another issue is the lack of parenting in general, as the majority of homes have both parents working, and no one at home to teach children about basic social and life skills. Childcare services and schools teach nothing but basic mental skills, leaving rudimentary life skills aside.
Media is to a large degree how the child of today learns, and these media outlets glorify dysfunctionality, violence, and a lack of real connection with one another. Child and young adult media has degraded over the years to a point of senselessness and mindless chaotic content lacking any real meaning.
The long term social implications for these trends in the world as a whole need to be addressed. Rehabilitation centers need to be created to teach basic life and social skills, that these children were not exposed to in childhood. Though many of these people are deciding not to have children of their own, those that do/will have children, need to be taught real parenting skills. The long term perpetuation of these cycles cannot continue, or the world as a whole is going to suffer greatly. Imagination is a wonderful tool, but to live solely within that imagination is not healthy...the virtues of reality need to be extolled and built upon.
Posted on Dec 4, 2011
conner0987
conner0987
lol, looks like this hits close to home for a lot of stumblers
Posted on Nov 9, 2011
allaboutsoul
Angie
I'll admit I didn't read the whole thing, but I don't think adults enjoying "childlike" things is bad...What are we supposed to do as adults: stop having fun?
Posted on Sep 13, 2011
EmperorTurtle
Nugget the Turtle
What is this nonsense? It's alright for adults to play videos, ride scooters, have cuddly toys, watch cartoons, and do all kinds of other things. I see this kind of thing far too often. One generation conformed to social norms and failed to live they way they wanted to live. Now a new generation sees that mistake reflected in the unhappiness of the adults they encounter in youth. Instead of congratulating is for moving society forward, we're "immature" and suffering some sort of psychological issue. Please.
Now I tend to choose adult programming as I like adult topics, but I occasionally watch cartoons. I've watched this new show, Monster Buster Club, and it's kind of fun. I wouldn't watch it if something else was on, but I have nothing against those who would. And believe me, watching that was a lot better for me than switching to the news or some adult sitcom. If we're criticizing interests for being immature or low-class, I suppose I have a right to follow adults around and criticize them for not reading Shakespeare instead of their favorite author? Or mock them for watching a drama rather than a PBS documentary? Certainly not, and ageism is not reasonable either.
Posted on Jul 31, 2010
ChrowX
ChrowX
I started reading this but got a distinct feeling that the generational gap was just too much for this man to understand. Many young Adults today engage themselves in childhood nostalgia and adult responsibility equally, because this is a generation that values the simple pleasures of child-like joy. I find it odd that the author takes so much issue with people today wanting something fun to do, like playing video games, or wanting to have a safe calm area in their bedroom, instead of simply being a depressed, repressed adult.
Also, the college kids watching teletubbies were only engrossed with it because they were high.
Posted on Jun 3, 2010
notquitethere
notquitethere
Not sure I agree with everything here- but it does highlight the trend of permanent adolescence. I might add though that it was very light on any argument for why we should want to grow up...
Posted on Apr 3, 2010
naomijacobs
Naomi
Excellent, insightful article. Fascinating comment on identity in a late modern society.
Posted on Feb 28, 2010
theironmary
ironmary.tumblr.com/
Oh no! you guys, put down your video games and cupcakes or we'll all be 12 forever. Ok the dance is alittle creepy but you're talking about people who are holding down jobs and taking care of their lives perfectly fine, they just think video games and cupcakes are fun. Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you have to like doing taxes and book clubs. At least they aren't out getting completely shit faced every night.
Posted on Oct 4, 2009
eugenestyles
eugenestyles
so what's the point? I shouldn't play games? How about fuck you?
Posted on Sep 5, 2009
BurningSensation
BurningSensation
This sounds a lot more like a giant fucking anecdote than an essay.
Posted on Sep 3, 2009
broadpaw
broadpaw
Lots of anecdotes, no basis, no grounds. Let's all spend our free-time having no imagination and bitching about how humanity is lost. We had the first whoooole 6 years of our lives to enjoy things! If we're not constantly suffering then we're not being adults. Love it.
Posted on Aug 27, 2009
DevilsJohnson
Lou
Oh my God, we didn't have a chance to be kids so now we....Bull sit. They generation has some thing to cry about anymore. In the 70's it was latch key kids.
So you had activities and that was just too much. When I was a kid I couldn't do activities because I had to come home and cook dinner and take care of my little brother. I guess I should get a Play Doh Fuzzy Pumper and tell people to F of because I was denied a childhood. Many of us were denied what most deem as a normal childhood. But we also busted our asses to grow up and be a man at 14 years old. hen we got there and found out we had bills to pay then we wanted the ease of being a child with no responsibility. It's a be careful what you wish for kiddo, now you are Mom and Dad. Get a job, get a house, and redefine what it is to getting a life. Sure you can still have fun. But I'm sorry, sitting in a bar and watching Telletubbies is about the most stupid thing I have ever heard of. You worked way too hard as a kid trying to be a grown up some you could do whatever you wanted. Then when you got there you didn't like it. Too bad, too late...You're here now and it's time to dig in your heels and get done what needs done.
Posted on Jul 25, 2009
LadyAshwood
Lady Ashwood
Gosh, sometimes other stumbler's comments are as interesting as the article itself aren't they..... I would like to see more evidence of the methodology used by this sociologist, since what is presented here is mostly anecdotal and makes presumptions about what is 'adult' and what not without setting out any criteria (was 'hello kitty' ever aimed at children?). However, that said, it is an interesting piece of observation, coherently interpreting a documented change in domestic/familial structures. His argument about fear of relationship failure as a cause rings true, though I doubt it is the full answer.
Posted on May 25, 2009
findwaldo
Sally
I prefer Yo Gabba Gabba! to Teletubbies.
Posted on Mar 10, 2009
nattheman
nattheman
I was very amused. Well reported as well - lots of information. They forgot to cite the movie "Van Wilder" in the references section, but that's the only thing they missed.
Posted on Jan 27, 2009
Ronniemess
Ronniemess
This article answered a lot of questions that I have had about society lately . as for the comments below that belittle the writer I am quite sure that they come from those persons still living under Mummy and Daddys roof .If you have any compassion for the persons that raised you ,you need to take a step sideways and imagine yourself at 55 still shelling out for your kid. I for one dont, and will not allow my love for my kids to impair my right to enjoy my life experience . I too have the right to party, so get your own life
Posted on Jan 24, 2009
Vonilan
Vonilan
The writer's discussions of trivial matters such as video games and Hello Kitty don't really prove anything, nor do isolated and anecdotal examples of 30-year-olds living with their parents. Every generation invariably gets old and begins to complain that the next generation will fail at life miserably, yet the world hasn't ended yet. Although I disagree completely with the author's assertions, I still think this article is worth a read.
Posted on Jan 15, 2009
hucka
Gerson
interesting, but he sounds like it's a bad thing!
Posted on Jan 4, 2009
ajenemie
ajenemie
Website dated 2003. And meh, adults can have kid fun.