Posted on 11/26/2006 7:10:26 AM PST by madprof98
That was okay then, because (a) they married; and (b) her 18 year old husband had been out working for at least 5 years by then.
Now basically what society demands is the creation of a protected class that sits around or maybe has a part-time job, screws like bunnies but naturally never with the intention of marriage, and gets all the perks of adulthood with none of the responsibilities.
I see all those things you are talking about, with my sons friends. Some of the males too, but the females are especially lacking. My son has a very hard time with dating, etc, because most of the females cannot cook, haven't a clue how to do laundry, etc etc etc. No life skills at all, and the attitude that they aren't going to be a slave for any guy. (?) My son has all these skills, and find it strange that women his age don't. I guess it is a good thing I gave him the basics to take care of himself!
I have not listened to regular radio in so long, I'm obvlious to what songs are popular or what has been in the top 40 for the past 5 years! Thank God for satellite radio and an extensive music collection of classic rock!
Great points, all!
"My son has a very hard time with dating, etc, because most of the females cannot cook, haven't a clue how to do laundry, etc etc etc."
Why would that create a problem with dating? I do think kids of both sexes should know how to do those things, but I can't see it being a hindrance to dating unless he wants his dates to do his cooking and laundry.
My parents were part of the postwar marriage boom in 1946. Neither one could cook; my father had never been expected to learn how, and my mother had been kept out of the kitchen by a mother who saw it as her sole domain.
When they started out in their new apartment, my mother said she had no idea how to cook a meal from start to finish. My father said, "Well, if we can read, we can cook," and for the first year or so he would sit on a stool at the end of the counter, reading the steps. "Now break three eggs...." and she'd break three eggs....
These things have a way of working themselves out before people starve. My parents had two careers and put good meals on the table; my husband and I have two careers and put good meals on the table.
Is cooking the only "life skill" he wants her to have? I was taught that there were a lot more! :)
"Is cooking the only "life skill" he wants her to have? I was taught that there were a lot more! :)"
No of course not. Nor is it the only skill he has. It was a point made, regarding the article, and where some of the immaturity levels are. And how kids are not being taught life skills.
Ding, ding, ding...we have a winner!
I loved that story about your parents, learning to cook. I am sure they have some wonderful memories of the experience. I honestly believe it is those things that make us closer to each other. Bonding experiences.
My mother turned out to be an excellent cook "by the book". She would taste the meal for the first time with the rest of us when she sat down at the table! :) They were married for over fifty-three years. :))
"Of course, it is hard to let go, but we all need to do so in various ways over time," Plante says, "as long as we do it thoughtfully and lovingly, I suppose."
I was out of the house and living on my own at 17. And I love my parents. I was just ready to strike out on my own. Never once asked either for money, and never went back to live with them. Later, my Mom wanted to go to college after my folks got divorced, so I loaned her the money to do so. :)
Our son's been on his own for a year now. He was a year behind me but he needed to finish HS, while I had my diploma at 17, but I'll cut him some slack. ;)
Give them Roots and Wings and push them out of the nest with your fingers crossed. I think the worst thing you can do is prolong childhood any longer than age 18. I pity those parents that have mid-20's kids still suck(er)ing off of them. (Medical problems exempted, of course.)
Reading all the comments on this thread about "not getting mature until 30", I can't help but think that maybe we've just reversed adolescence and childhood. These tween kids act like teens, and the teens act like children.
I can tell you one thing, though: if I ever have kids, they will NOT be like this. I happen to be one of those people who is gifted with not-so-common-common-sense.
I grew up around the conversation, "Who's the parent?" You are..." "And who's the child?" "I am..." I didn't always like it, but dang it, I turned into a 17 year old who believes in being a good steward of what you've got, not expecting the world to revolve around you, and not compromising yourself to fit into this stupid "lets all be hip and wear 100-dollar jeans and tennies" trend. I credit it to awesome parents who set boundaries, kept me out of public school and only let me listen to Christian music. Seriously. The music limit was the one of the smartest, kindest things they ever did for me (among many things).
Look, my son watched public tv, and he is not a commie. Public TV has the advantage of NO ADS, which are a large contributor to this problem. A mother without a lot of resources will do worse than public TV, although I agree there is a lot of PC stuff on it.
Gosh, I was just having that conversation with someone earlier today!
I'm in my late 30's and work with kids who are 7-9. My husband tells me I'm more of a child than they are and that I need to grow up. I told him I may grow old, but I'll never grow up.
I have a 13 year old daughter who is very mature and unfortunately looks about 16. And we have an 11 year old son who is a little old man. That's why we watch both of our kids like a hawk. We monitor their activities, friends, families of friends, TV shows and music. Too much potential for trouble if too much freedom is given.
Plastic gives off chemical estrogen. Microwave food is a must have in our new world of immediate gratification. Plastics are everywhere.
Not to mention the hormones that are injected or fed to livestock...I didn't have boobs at 11. These kids have boobs. Kids shouldn't have boobs.
Ping if you're interested.
Some of them are going on "dates" and talking on their own cell phones. They listen to sexually charged pop music, play mature-rated video games and spend time gossiping on MySpace. And more girls are wearing makeup and clothing that some consider beyond their years.
My 13 year old daughter has classmates who have access to all of that. No, no, no. No make-up, boyfriends, Myspace, no nasty music or cell phones, no stomach showing and no tight jeans (for goodness sake). NO, NO, NO! I WILL be a Mother-in-law before I am a grandma.
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