The Associated Press ran a story this week on the trouble the pandemic has caused for “emerging adults.” Go ahead, take another look at that quoted subject matter. “Emerging adults” is a term that is utilized by an assumed grown-up person that writes stories for a living. What in the heck does “emerging adult “mean?
This is where the insanity just gets me. Were those “emerging adults” that we sent to Vietnam 45 years ago? Are those “emerging adults” that we send to fight wars in other countries in the name of democracy, retribution, oil prices and other what not? Are those “emerging adults” that work three jobs to support their young children and provide a better life for their family? The waitress working a double shift, the factory worker clocking in day in and day out? Those “emerging adults?”
In my book, you are either an “adult” or not an adult. It’s simple, kind of like anatomy but we’ve confused that at this point as well.
My inquisitive mind had to find out about these emerging adults. According to my Google, an emerging adult is a term used to describe a period of development spanning from about the ages of 18 to 29. What? My parents didn’t call that “development.” My stepdad, a rough on the edges kind of guy, would not use any of my behavior from 18 to 29 as a “developmental” stage. He would have said I either did the “right thing” or I was a “dumbass.” Either way I was an adult in his eyes, open to the limited rewards or repercussions of such a designation. It was a clear system.
The term was apparently coined in the year 2000. I was 33 years old in 2000, so luckily, he did not have to say something like, “your emerging adulthood needs kicked in the crotch,” or worse yet, attempt to physically execute his displeasure in a similar manner. I had crested that plateau and was either a contributing adult to society or not. Again, simple but clear and I flirted with both sides of the equation.
Anyway, new terms are often developed to explain away our lack of evolution, but rarely are they clearer in meaning. I’m sticking to the old school. You’re either an adult or someone that should be an adult based on your age. Seems clearer.
Patrick Mahomes is building a house. I’m not sure where yet, but I don’t think it is in Platte County. I hate to be right so often, but I must live with it. Months ago, I suggested the economic development folks find that young man some acreage and it didn’t happen.
Johnson County, Kansas probably gets Patrick and Brittany and assorted beautiful babies and we’ll probably get some tax increment financing for a Subway. I can’t lead the horse to water and make it drink too?
My favorite thing about the 30-something generation is that they apparently do all the same things that previous generations did except they do it to “change the world.” Case in point. Last week, a bunch of burgeoning investors decided to run up GameStop Stock. It was a classic “pump and dump” process that has happened on Wall Street forever, except they used they used internet social sites to spread the word instead of well-placed experts on TV, websites and newsletters. They zoomed the stock way up and then started to sell their profits. It was a nice move. Nice and greedy, I appreciate that characteristic.
But instead of admitting this was a simple capitalistic move, individuals began to claim this was a “little guy” against the system type of move. It was silly explanation for pure, old fashioned greed and money making.
It saddened me a little that they couldn’t simply take credit for their greedy move. It was brilliant and well executed up until the point they tried to make the whole endeavor some sort of redefined social construct. That ruined it all for me.
(Guy Speckman can be reached at gspeckman@me.com or practicing his adult behaviors)