Today, according to U.S. law, I am an adult. A few days ago I was hired at a grocery store but couldn't sign some paperwork because I was underage. So today, I went in to officially become an employee and sign away a few liberties while I was at it. As most people feel at this age, I feel a vague sense of psychological renewal but mostly an ambiguous blot of development. My new boss told me that I could now sign the papers because I am "of my own mind". So, today is as good as any to impart to you my thoughts on the transition to adulthood.
In regards to my boss' comment (which was meant jokingly not demeaningly), mentally I feel exactly the same. Obviously. It's only been a few hours since my last conscious interaction with the world. It's not like I was suddenly thrown out on the street, forced to find an apprenticeship or else beg for food and lodging. My day today and the next few months will be the same as they always have been.
The truth is, being an adult to me is more than assuming the major responsibilities that naturally come with continued life. Everyone has to pay taxes, most people have to work for a living and anyone can make a baby. For a lot of people the responsibiltiies of finance and childcare are simply thrust upon them. For these kinds of people, life is lived rather begrdugingly. No, despite my aunt's retort "you'll change your mind when you start paying taxes!" adulthood for me is more than workforce subservience and childrearing.
My criteria for an adult are temperament and ethical duty. I believe an adult is someone who has a realistic sense of their place in the world, aspirationally and relationally. They should know about how achievable their ideal self actually is and who is emotionally important to them. If you are assured of these two things, you should be able to take life in stride. My second criterion means you should uphold a moral code of conduct. This is to preserve your own integrity and happiness and that of your greater community. For my personal ethic, I think this conduct should include a continued accrument of knowledge and active participation in the government. These tasks prevent stagnation, keeping you a relevant and involved citizen. After all, if you sympathize with my aunt and paying into the government constitutes being an adult, you might as well actually use your right to vote which I consider the main privilege of adult life.
None of this will happen over night. I think most people are ill-groomed to perform the duties I consider quintessential to maturity. Most of the people I encounter are in a state of prolonged adolescence, still trying to fill self esteem needs. Particularly in America this is a sociological trend. Our culture promotes infantilism so products are cross generational and consumerism can flourish. In addition, our improved quality of life has created a general sense of entitlement. Not to mention the failings of our education system which is supposed to create an intellectually vibrant citizenry but currently has less influence on our intellectual interests than youtube.
So, I will journey into the adult world and try to set the example I want to see. It won't be easy. Like I said, your hangups of 18 years won't go away over night. You're still essentially the person you were when you go to college. It's just a change of setting and responsibility. However, every day I will strive to be someone who expects more from himself than he does from the world.
Yours Truly,
Jamin
