I remember my 13th and 14th years so well, and how those I grew up with were so alike. I remember clearly how we would not only act like children, but think like them, too. We would climb trees, form gangs, play out fantasies, have childish fights, form alliances, be friends one minute, enemies the next. We had no desire to act or be 'adults'. Adults were people who stayed indoors most of their lives. Those who joined in, or expressed any desire to share in our world, in any way, were considered 'cool'. They were like 'us'. We were not like 'them'. They were like 'us'. They had joined the ranks of the Kids. It was a fact; there weren't many adults who ventured into the realms of Kidsworld.
After chores, children were allowed to play. They had been indoors, performing their 'responsibilities'. Responsibilities were a way of life - a 'given'. It was no use arguing, whining, complaining. In fact, this type of rebellion was scarce. The few children that dared to rebel were deemed 'BAD', and we were forbidden to play with them, lest they would influence us in a negative way. Lest we became like them.
We were kept busy within the home, within the family unit. Our parents expected certain behaviour, conduct, respect, duties from us. Despite these expectations, we were happy and contented. Our boundaries had been set and we were part of a team. Team players. Because this was the way of life for most of us, we held on to and made the most of every spare 'play' moment. We valued those moments. We played hard! So hard that we didn't even think of any 'rights' we may have had.
Today, it is the reverse. Children are told they have many rights. They are told they have rights, but seldom are their responsibilities impressed upon them.
Many children today are unhappy. One only has to take a stroll through the mall or down the street and watch their faces. They are walking the Maturity Walk and talking the Maturity Talk, but they look glum, they look miserable. Oh, the parents do their best to please them. It is commonplace to see parents with haggard, worn and tired countenances, as they drive their children from A to B to C to D, all in the name of education, recreation and relaxation. The harder the parents try to please, the less content the children become......
Freedom. We are told we must give our children freedom. Freedom of expression. Freedom to make their own decisions. Freedom to choose. Freedom to have their own space. When we exerted freedom of expression our parents exerted a free 'hand'. When we attempted to make our own decisions, we wrestled for hours whether to buy fish and chips, or chips and sloppy peas with the little money we had pooled together. When we attempted to choose, we never seemed to choose quick enough, as the choice, (whatever IT may have been), was made for us by somebody much older. And our only 'space' was the area our bodies took up in our beds at night - and only a few of us were fortunate enough to have our own beds!
The Mature Young Adult today is extremely childish. Watch the pout if they cannot get their own way, or have something they want. Hear the backanswering if they are 'gently corrected' due to some inconsiderate attitude they may have. Observe the lack of compassion if asked to look after or help a younger sibling. See the grimace if asked to help with chores. Listen to the whining if a sibling gains something by merit in a parents view, but not so in the view of childish communism.
How is maturity rated today? If we continue to follow the trend of this relatively new world of children's rights, what are we creating in our children? What are we teaching them? I believe we are creating ignorance and teaching them a false sense of security.