We Have A Terrifying Infantilization Problem No One Is Talking About
A society with no consequences or risks is a sitting duck.
Lately, I’ve been noticing something happen between my groups of friends. There’s a very stark divide between two main categories of my friends: those who chose to grow up, and those who haven’t.
I’m 36. I’ve lived on my own. I’ve started up my own businesses. My husband is 27 and has his own business, along with a 9 to 5 job. When I’m not working, I’m fixing things around my new place or parenting.
In other words, I’m an adult. I function as an adult. So does my husband. And while we’ve had to rely on family members due to circumstances out of our control before, we’re still doing the adult thing.
The same cannot be said for a sizable group of our friends.
I’ve already written about Renata, the girl who just won’t grow up. She’s not the only one. I’ve also seen countless other men and women, all of whom have various stages of arrested development.
I couldn’t help but notice that kids aren’t as mature as they were at my age.
The more I talk to other parents, the more I realize something is terribly, terribly wrong with Gen Alpha. Simply put, the milestones my friends and I reached aren’t being reached at that age anymore.
It first hit me during a conversation I had with my two friends who have two kids. I was taken aback when I heard that my friends’ kids are not allowed to use a microwave or stovetop at 10 years old.
When I heard that, I looked at my friends and asked, “Why can’t they cook? They’re old enough.”
My friends shrugged and said, “I just don’t think they’re ready yet.”