Socially acceptable behaviours in our society are complex and often based on age and race. What is acceptable for a 14 year old is not acceptable for an 18 year old, this is in spite of the fact that there is only four years between them. Take the same difference in say a 32 and 36 year old and there is very little difference in acceptable behaviour, although the is the same four year gap.
One of these socially induced behaviours is the shedding of the 'things of youth'. A teenager is expected to forego the things of their childhood, an adult is expected to shed the things of their teenage years. For example, show me large number of adults who play with Lego without a child present (and who don't get paid for it or something like it). You will be searching long and hard to find them, and even then they will probably be reluctant to admit it.
However on the flip side, a middle aged man in a “mid-life crisis” will often spend large amounts to try to recapture the things of youth. Although these ‘toys’ (i.e. fast cars, younger women, expensive electronic equipment) are social acceptable for an adult there are still things that hark back to childhood. A shed full of tools is reminiscent of a Meccano or Lego set, Building or buying houses is reminiscent of board games played with the family like monopoly and games play in sand pits and junk yards. In effect, the “mid-life crisis” is attempting to regain the good parts of childhood while keeping the good parts of adulthood, have your cake and eat it too sort of thing.
So, why is it that we force children to give up the things of youth, why do we force by disapproving looks and off-handed comments children as they grow into adults to give up those things that a few will try desperately to get back? Why do we not instead allow for people to assimilate these things, playing with LEGO or Meccano, Playing imaginary games in the sand pit or junk yard, Having the carefree friendships of childhood into adult life?
Why do we force people to mature into a version of ourselves?
Please explain your answer with respect to our society’s influences on people.
Thanks.
2007-09-13
14:11:01
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3 answers
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asked by
Arthur N
4
in
Philosophy