Be a Man! No, We Insist…
This article, found via Acidman, really got me going. The main point of it is absolutely true, and perhaps a problem - or a symptom.
Measures of adulthood for a man, according to the piece, are:
So let’s see, I left home at 20, then left home again at 25.
I finished school at 27.
I got married at 42.
I had a child at 43.
Finacially independent? Bwahahahah… Yeah, like that will happen any time soon.
I don’t see why marriage and children are a criteria, though they are certainly life-altering and, for lack of a better word, “completing” events. If I’d remained single, I’d never have been considered an “adult”? Please.
If I’d never gone to college, I’d never have been an “adult”? Right. Not to say that college isn’t the new equivalent of a high school diploma, and all but mandatory, but still.
The big problem items are the difficulty in becoming financially secure and, related, leaving home at some reasonable age. From my perspective, the ends keep moving. What I make ought to be plenty of money. The reality is that to really support us and have any hope of owning a house, my income has to go up about 50% as soon as possible. Since that would be the topmost end of what I could conceivably expect anyone to pay me for a “real job,” I don’t understand how people do it. Their list doesn’t including owning a house, but I’d consider it implicit in being financially independent.
The kicker is at the end of the article, at which point you learn that the motive for the people pushing the “men become adults too slowly” meme is pushing for national service. That’s right, the government will help you become a man sooner! What would we ever do without government and its unlimited power to make our lives better?
Adulthood begins at the bah-mitzvah… :D
I actually think that this current generation is creating problems by enabling children to stay in the home of their parents past the point when they should be on their own, struggling and learning lessons.
There is no good ‘metric’ for what it takes to ‘be an adult’, but I think with starting to be mature and responsible outside of the house of your parents…
Posted by Jon on 04/06 at 07:42 PMLeft home when I was 18
Got married when I was 23
Finished school when I was 18. Got my Bachelor’s when I was 41 (hey, there was no mention as to what level of schooling now was there?)
Have been financially independant since I left home (sometimes worked 2 full time jobs, but made my own way).
I’m glad that “having a child” was on the list - otherwise I would have found that I’m a man (for those who don’t know and are confuse by my blogname - I’m female).
Posted by Bogie on 04/08 at 08:13 AM
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