You’re Only a Child Once

Well this explains a lot: Millennials Don’t Consider Themselves Adults Until 30. This, despite the fact that in most states you’re considered and adult at age 18 for all purposes other than drinking and that by age 21 you’re considered an adult in all states, for all purposes.

The median age of millennials is 30, Poltrack says — meaning that half are older and half are younger. And 30 happens to be the age at which millennials tend to self-identify as adults.

I’m just a little sheep, why should I have to grow up to be mutton?

While previous generations considered themselves adults by age 18 (the Greatest Generation) or 21 (Boomers, Gen-X)) for some reason Millennials (born 1979-95) don’t consider themselves adults until sometime into their 4th decade, which is when they begin doing “adult” things, like moving out of their parents home, getting a job and paying their own bills.  Why so long?

Why are millennials taking so long to grow up and move out? Some of it is their fault, some of it is their parents’ fault, and much of it is everyone’s fault.

We didn’t grow up but we are diverse!

“Much of it is everyone’s fault?” What did I do?

Oh wait! I didn’t do that. Someone else made that happen.

For starters, the December 2007-June 2009 recession made finding employment harder — especially for recent college grads, many of whom happened to (be) saddled with a ton student loan debt. High housing costs, meanwhile, reduced any stigma connected to living at home.

I didn’t cause the recession, and I’m betting you didn’t either. Nor was I the one who authorized colleges to hire thousands of overpaid professors to offer degrees in various “studies” that study nothing. Nor did I insist they build elaborate new dorms, athletic facilities and libraries that required such astronomical increases in tuition that students invested the equivalent of a starter home to get a degree in gender studies that prepares you for pretty much nothing. So how is this my fault?

You’ve got a college degree, figure it out Einstein.

“More controversial is the whole idea that their baby boomer parents have really coddled them,” Poltrack told TheWrap. “They’ve made it too good for them. Why would you leave?”

To this all I can say is that if you are one of the baby boomer parents who really coddled your kids then yes, a good part of this mindset is your fault.

“Time to put your little toys away now honey and have some babies; I need grandchildren.”

The only other thing I can say is that this situation highlights the foresight and wisdom of our Founding Fathers: Age and Citizenship requirements – US Constitution, Article II, Section 1:

• …neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years…

They wanted to make sure that we always had an adult at the helm.

As they say, the best laid plans…

But I guess 30-ish is a good time to start being a grown up. Till then I’m sure Mommy and Daddy won’t mind footing the bill and taking care of everything for you. After all you’re only a child once. Make the most of it.

http://www.michellesmirror.com/2017/03/youre-only-child-once.html#.WNvCVfnys2w