I was among the first 18-year-olds allowed to vote. At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old boomer, the 18-year-olds of 1971 were far more mature than those we have today. Some of my peers went from high school to college but many of us, maybe the majority, got jobs or enlisted in the military. Too many were sent off to Vietnam, and too many of them didn't return. We had been taught history and civics. We understood how the government works. We knew exactly what happened in Europe during WW2. Many of our dads and uncles had served in that war, even some of our moms and aunts! Before we were old enough to have actual jobs we babysat or mowed lawns. At 16 we were going to every business we could applying for minimum wage jobs. With few exceptions, we walked, biked, or used public transportation to get where we wanted/needed to go. Compare that to what today's young people experience and what is expected of them. With few exceptions, today's young people should not be allowed to make decisions that affect the lives and well-being of others. They're not mature enough for that responsibility.
I was there with you.... can't vote, can't buy a beer can get drafted and go die for country.... We raised our voice and we changed the world.... Maybe - not for the better
I think most of the changes we worked for were for the better. The real problem is how some of our generation raised their kids. We pretty much raised our girls the way we were raised - be respectful and respectable, work for what you want, take responsibility for your actions. I started seeing the parents of some of my girls' friends wanting to be their kids' friends so much that they forgot to be their parents. They had no household responsibilities. Some would get jobs as teens but not in the numbers we did. Each generation seems to have created more pampered brats who respect no one and blame others for their self-inflicted issues. My daughters are now where we were back then - raising kids to be productive citizens while the kids' friends are coddled. I'm afraid it's going to get way worse before it turns around.
Yes - the intention was to make the "World a better place". And lots of what we thought we wanted would have done so.... but I look around now.... and I (don't) think to myself, what a wonderful world
I agree. Age of maturity has gone in the wrong direction. I was married with two children long before I hit 30. Now people think getting married in your early 20s is far too young.
And children before 35 is somehow a mistake. Getting out of high school meant you were an adult. You were expected to act like an adult. Now we have college graduates with less emotional maturity than I had in high school. The common denominator is the establishment of the Department of Education.
Yep. I was married at 19, waited until 26 & 30 to have kids. We wanted to have a house and secure jobs before becoming parents. 50 years later we're looking to travel and spend the inheritance. Young people do it backwards today - travel and party then rush to marry and have families before the biological clock strikes 12. I agree, the DoE destroyed actual education in this country and the states are helping now. The NYS Board of Regents will be announcing its new graduation plan Monday. I expect it will be further dumbing down.
I was among the first 18-year-olds allowed to vote. At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old boomer, the 18-year-olds of 1971 were far more mature than those we have today. Some of my peers went from high school to college but many of us, maybe the majority, got jobs or enlisted in the military. Too many were sent off to Vietnam, and too many of them didn't return. We had been taught history and civics. We understood how the government works. We knew exactly what happened in Europe during WW2. Many of our dads and uncles had served in that war, even some of our moms and aunts! Before we were old enough to have actual jobs we babysat or mowed lawns. At 16 we were going to every business we could applying for minimum wage jobs. With few exceptions, we walked, biked, or used public transportation to get where we wanted/needed to go. Compare that to what today's young people experience and what is expected of them. With few exceptions, today's young people should not be allowed to make decisions that affect the lives and well-being of others. They're not mature enough for that responsibility.
I was there with you.... can't vote, can't buy a beer can get drafted and go die for country.... We raised our voice and we changed the world.... Maybe - not for the better
I think most of the changes we worked for were for the better. The real problem is how some of our generation raised their kids. We pretty much raised our girls the way we were raised - be respectful and respectable, work for what you want, take responsibility for your actions. I started seeing the parents of some of my girls' friends wanting to be their kids' friends so much that they forgot to be their parents. They had no household responsibilities. Some would get jobs as teens but not in the numbers we did. Each generation seems to have created more pampered brats who respect no one and blame others for their self-inflicted issues. My daughters are now where we were back then - raising kids to be productive citizens while the kids' friends are coddled. I'm afraid it's going to get way worse before it turns around.
If it turns around
Yes - the intention was to make the "World a better place". And lots of what we thought we wanted would have done so.... but I look around now.... and I (don't) think to myself, what a wonderful world
I agree. Age of maturity has gone in the wrong direction. I was married with two children long before I hit 30. Now people think getting married in your early 20s is far too young.
And children before 35 is somehow a mistake. Getting out of high school meant you were an adult. You were expected to act like an adult. Now we have college graduates with less emotional maturity than I had in high school. The common denominator is the establishment of the Department of Education.
Yep. I was married at 19, waited until 26 & 30 to have kids. We wanted to have a house and secure jobs before becoming parents. 50 years later we're looking to travel and spend the inheritance. Young people do it backwards today - travel and party then rush to marry and have families before the biological clock strikes 12. I agree, the DoE destroyed actual education in this country and the states are helping now. The NYS Board of Regents will be announcing its new graduation plan Monday. I expect it will be further dumbing down.
Yes! Mental maturity is important in making good choices.
Don't know about 30, maybe 21.
At least…