Journal #2 “What keeps Ms. up at night?”
Growing up. On countless occasions during moments of frivolousness and silly girlishness I have been told to do just that. “Put on your big girl panties” was one way it was phrased to me. How do you grow up? Can you never ask for help from mom and dad? Is the whole point to ignore them? What is an adult exactly; someone with money, power, a home? There is no uniform rule or set of instructions to become that ultimately “looked up to” individual who can be distinguished and respected in society.
Becoming an adult, being self reliant, and independent, everyone does it and can do it. In cultures outside the U.S. there are many rituals and rights of passage for youth to go through. Some of these tasks are grueling and downright barbaric. A few include long sojourns in the wilderness while other may involve physical pain such as pulling out all of your hair, walking on hot coals, or giving up you virginity. But this is not the case in our country. Today it seems our youth must go through other rites such as getting a car, a cell phone, or tattoos.
Elders are respected, even revered in most other cultures for their wisdom and the fact they have already done everything. How about us? Many argue mom and dad are great for younger kids. How about for teenagers? When is the time to wean yourself from their protective arms and do? Is there a certain time to just kick the baby out of its nest so it can fly? How do you know when that is?
