I thinks it is good for everyone to know that growing up doesn’t mean a person can now act independently as they like. Yes, it is a process that allows one to love, get married, or even go to school. But some people really do not make use of this opportunity given to them; rather they prefer to go about doing things that do not relate to their individual lives.
We all have different views about what it means to transit from teenage to adulthood. But some of these views can pass for myths. To clear the air, here are two myths about adulthood that need to be discussed:
Growing Up means Living Alone
When I think of today’s generation, I see a generation where people think moving out of their parents’ house means they are now getting mature and that they are getting prepared for the future. But as realistic as it seems, it is a big myth. We all have to emancipate ourselves from that trap. Do not think staying under your parent’s house limits you from doing things that can make you become a great achiever. When people imagine a 20 year old girl living with her parents, they see an unambiguous girl, who lets her folks do all the house chores, while sleeping away or chasing boys around. But if you ask me, I’ll say that this is an unfair judgment. You can live in your parents’ house and still pursue your dreams until it is time to leave—e.g. when marriage calls.
Growing Up Means having Children
There is this illusion many people have about using child-bearing to validate your adulthood. There are some great men and women who never got married not to talk of having children. Do we now say that they weren’t adults? Or they really did not explore their adulthood? Of course not! Don’t get trap in the rush to meet up with the “requirements of adulthood”—marriage and child bearing is not a pre-requisite.
John Steinbeck, author of The Grapes of Wrath, wrote a letter in 1958 to his oldest son who was convinced he had fallen in love. In the letter, Steinbeck gave his son some advice about romance and relationships, and then he ended his letter with this poignant piece of reassurance: “And don’t worry about losing. If it is right, it happens — the main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.”
Take assurance in these words. I believe that it is never too late to fall in love or have children.
I would grow up as God has planned it for me. Well, for now, I’m a happy teenager who has refused to be blinded by the myths of adulthood.
Editor’s Note: This article has been edited without changing the original theme proposed by the author.
About the Author:
Nwoji chioma is currently a youth assistant at AHI. She is passionate about young people. Follow her on Twitter: @NwojiChioma.
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