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Along Life’s Way
Adulting:
What Is It?
By Lois E. Wilson
“Adulting” is a word used on social media which means “doing adult
activities or the process of becoming an adult.” In 2015, its use
on Twitter increased by 700%. Adulting may stem from the fact that some
in the millennial generation (born1981-1996) experience normal
life stages at a later age. Many millennials delay marrying, having
children, and such things as buying homes.
When our country was primarily a rural society, children grew up on
working farms or in a community with family businesses. They learned
the tasks associated with the activities around them. Boys plowed,
harvested crops, fed and cared for livestock. They learned about
expenses and the income when products were sold.
Girls learned to tend to the needs of younger siblings. They helped
make clothes, cook, can food, and do laundry. Becoming an adult for
both sexes was facilitated by their circumstances.
Later generations of the 1940’s and 50’s, before they entered high
school, were taught some of the tasks of adulthood. Girls had Home
Economics classes in which they learned to sew and cook. I remember my
satisfaction from making apple crisp. Boys made woodworking projects in
Manual Training. Often a small side table was their creation.
Today, the Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations offer opportunities
for young boys and girls to earn merit badges in various life skills:
sports, crafts, science, trades, business, movie filming, cooking,
inventing, preparation for future careers, and many more. Through
Future Farmers of America and 4-H activities students learn practical
knowledge and skills about the agricultural and homemaking areas.
The U. S. Census Bureau found in 2015, 34% of Americans between 18 and
34 were still living with a parent. That is an increase from the 26% in
2005. “Adulting” at times has been a term of ridicule toward
millennials since they have not mastered the mundane tasks of adulthood
because they put off doing many of them. Their elders seem to think all
that generation has learned is how to protest, demonstrate against and
resist the mainstream.
Recognizing a need, across the country and on the internet, classes in
“Adulting” are being offered. They teach basic, adult life skills. Some
of those listed are: cooking, writing vitae, doing taxes, sewing, how
to fold laundry, how to deal with relationships, budgeting, and time
management. I commend those trying to escape from being trapped in a
teen time warp of hypnotism by devices.
My observations on adulting are that many young people transition into
adulthood smoothly; however, every now and then I see people, at least
50 years of age, who have not yet crossed the threshold of adulthood.
I’d refer them to an adulting class, except experience teaches that it
wouldn’t do any good.
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