In our society most people go through stages of life. Childhood - where we live at home with our parents, progress through responsibilities such as chores and homework and learn the difference between right and wrong. Adolescence - We have learned all the necessary tools to get a drivers license and be able to keep a temporary job, but our responsibilities are still limited and we are under the control of parents. Early adulthood - Responsibilities become more abundant. We are required to keep a job to pay for our own needs and most of the time have kept a steady relationship and have moved out of our parents home, and most have gone or are in college. Adulthood - We have graduated college, gotten married (most of the time), purchased a home, and prepared or started to have a family and have careers. Now granted this is not the case for some people, but most go through this specific coming of age process.
What has brought this topic up. Well I have gone through this specific process and have come to the adulthood portion. Darin and I are looking into buying our first house. We went out yesterday to look at some properties and were greatly pleased to find much more out there in our price range than before and the likely-hood that this year might be "the year" we do it. Yes its a big step and a lot of money but I think we are ready to do so. But here's the question. Are we considered adults now that we have decided to take this step? Or were we adults before? Sometimes the line seems blurred. I see "adults" on a daily basis that act like children. They cut in line in front of you and pretend like they didn't see you. Don't return phone calls because they don't feel like it. Tell you that you are not being mature for stating a fact. They misinterpret things and don't want to speak to you because of something they thought you said. I am sorry, but all of these examples can be seen on a daily basis in a 6th grade elementary school classroom. Add in social networks like Facebook and Twitter and they get even worse. Playing point the finger on someone's page, adding in their two cents. I am sorry, but if you don't want somebody to air their dirty laundry, then don't ask them on a public forum to do so....it only sparks the curiosity that is en-grained into us mere humanoids. Don't delete someone because you are mad, just to re-add them a day later. (Yes these are "adults" and over the age of 30 that do these things) It has taken me many years to get here, and granted it's still a learning process and I can't always do it, but if you have something that you need to say to someone just SAY IT, and if it is said on a public forum, don't get mad if all 200+ of your friends see it. Your fault!
Another thing that bothers me is these "adults" act like because you are younger than them that you couldn't possibly have the insight into things of substance like politics or business. They are always shocked when we say something of pertinence. I personally almost never talk about politics because it only causes friction and anger when you don't see eye to eye. I do pay attention though and listen so that I am aware of what is going on. Next time your stuck in the situation of listening to a political debate in a room full of adults, just sit back and listen.....back to 6th grade we go. Sure the words are better, and the sentences make sense, but they attack each other and point the finger. It's really amusing if you can get past the tension. Why is it that just because we have less years built in that we can't possibly know a thing or two about life? I mean, we have made it this far haven't we? I have a friend that is much younger than me, but acts so mature that sometime I forget her age. Then I will mention something about a TV show or movie from the 80's and when she say she hasn't seen it, I am brought back to reality.
I guess what I am trying to say here is that being an adult shouldn't be brought up to age, money, what kind of job you have or you living situation. It really has to do with your maturity level. I am not saying that acting child-like doesn't have its place in an adult life (hell I still go to Disneyland and play board games and color, I like to stay young at heart) but when the time comes to really act like one, to be mature and be the one that people look up to, all I ask is that you try.
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