growing up.. rambling

[TsPoet]

There was an article in our newspaper this morning, about growing up, or rather, about being a "grown-up".

I've never written to the editor of a newspaper, but have you thought about it?

Also, I do like his tattoo, it's tongue in cheek and talks about a lifestyle (to me) not really about being grown up.

[OakLeaf]

There was a time when I lived in a small-ish town but occasionally had to work in the city. For a long time, I liked getting stuck in rush hour traffic because it made me feel grown up.

Looking back on it now, I think that says it all.

[Irulan]

Personally knowing a lot of guys like this, (climbers, ski bums, raft guides etc) they are commitment phobes, immature and self centered, and place the adrenaline need pretty high up on the list. They DO need to grow up. Anyone remember the Peter Pan syndrome?

The comment on the focus on the body... that's lame imsho. if they would "study" these guys at all, it's all about the rush, the lack of being tied down, the rush of adrenaline and the toy collection, not a youthful body.

[Eden]

So what.... if someone doesn't want to conform to another person's idea of what it means to be "grown up"... You don't have to like everyone - let them be little boys/girls forever if they want to be.

[bcipam]

Funny... just recently my friends and I were sitting around and talking about the fact kids, really young adults, are refusing to grow up and become responsible. Really its not so attractive to find 40 year old people who want to act and be like 18 year olds. It's down right creepy if you ask me.

I think since the 80's when parents wanted to be hip themselves and much rather be their kids friends than parents, we have allowed kids to be indulged much too much - anything than wanted they got; nothing was earned; every desire was granted; nothing was appreciated. Now we have several generations of adults who don't know how to deny themselves and when they dont get what they want, become depressed and angry about it just like any 2 year old. Think about it? Is that really desirable and attractive?.

Hey I'm 60 - I act young at times but with that sense of playfulness also comes with a big sense of responsibilty and being an adult. BTW any married person with young children who engages in high risk sports is to me, an idiot. That person thinks so little of his/her family that for a little bit of pleasure they are willing to risk the families viability. Stupid, just stupid.

[tulip]

BTW any married person with young children who engages in high risk sports is to me, an idiot. That person thinks so little of his/her family that for a little bit of pleasure they are willing to risk the families viability. Stupid, just stupid.

Or who drives...

[indysteel]

Or who drives...

or rides a bike.

Honestly, I'm hesitant to make TOO many generalizations when it comes to this topic. It's posssible to be a responsible ski instructor and to be an extremely irresponsible Wall Street banker or school board member. There are a lot of variables that go into how productive, mature and responsible we are as people.

[rubywagon]

BTW any married person with young children who engages in high risk sports is to me, an idiot. That person thinks so little of his/her family that for a little bit of pleasure they are willing to risk the families viability. Stupid, just stupid.

I am not sure how to reply to this, but I think you just called me an idiot. And stupid.

[bcipam]

I am not sure how to reply to this, but I think you just called me an idiot. And stupid.

Sorry I don't know you - are you a professional skydriver? Or Bungee Jumper? or Motocross rider? I did say high risk - I don't consider bicycling a HIGH risk sport...

that said if you have a husband and small children then yes I think it foolish you risk your life for pleasure... just my opinion.

edited to add: If you engage in sports such as free riding--- mountain biking off cliff faces, then I would consider that high risk.

[jessmarimba]

I think since the 80's when parents wanted to be hip themselves and much rather be their kids friends than parents, we have allowed kids to be indulged much too much - anything than wanted they got; nothing was earned; every desire was granted; nothing was appreciated. Now we have several generations of adults who don't know how to deny themselves and when they dont get what they want, become depressed and angry about it just like any 2 year old. Think about it? Is that really desirable and attractive?.

Stereotype much?

I was born in the 80s. I paid for my college, I have a job, a house, a paid-off car, health insurance, the works. Though I might not have the nicest bikes, the medical bills from my wreck this summer are completely paid off.

The 50+ year-old woman who wrecked while I was still in the hospital had a brand-new high-end mountain bike, but no insurance or savings, while participating in a sport with a history of "when" you'll get hurt, not "if." I attended a ridiculous number of events attempting to raise money for additional elective surgeries when her original bills will mostly be written-off to charity.

I don't care how responsible/irresponsible or mature/immature people are at any age, but no one should have to pay for the high-risk lifestyle besides the risk takers themselves.

[Irulan]

Stereotype much?

I was born in the 80s. I paid for my college, I have a job, a house, a paid-off car, health insurance, the works. Though I might not have the nicest bikes, the medical bills from my wreck this summer are completely paid off.

The 50+ year-old woman who wrecked while I was still in the hospital had a brand-new high-end mountain bike, but no insurance or savings, while participating in a sport with a history of "when" you'll get hurt, not "if." I attended a ridiculous number of events attempting to raise money for additional elective surgeries when her original bills will mostly be written-off to charity.

I don't care how responsible/irresponsible or mature/immature people are at any age, but no one should have to pay for the high-risk lifestyle besides the risk takers themselves.

Yep. I recall an incident when I was going first aid at some NORBA world cup mountain bike DH races. A guy wrecks ( big surprise) and due to the nature of the potential head injuries, they were going to helicopter him off the mountain. The gf is in tears, "do we have to? We don't have any insurance!!" I mean, wtf, racing DH mountain biking without health insurance? Al least we keep good health and life policies in place with my and DH 's crazy antics.

[OakLeaf]

Probably related to what Irulan said is an unfolding scandal in Volusia County (Daytona Beach) Beach Patrol, where male career lifeguards in their 30s and 40s preyed on female lifeguards and sunbathers in their late teens, without regard for whether they were work subordinates, or legally of age to consent.

There is a phenomenon, no doubt, but I'm not sure from what lph said that her paper's article describes it.

Just to be devil's advocate, again, that male immaturity isn't necessarily victimless.

[Eden]

Scumbags aren't limited to the carefree, childless types.... lots appear to be good solid family men from the outside....

[PamNY]

Scumbags aren't limited to the carefree, childless types.... lots appear to be good solid family men from the outside....

Yes, indeed. Quite a few. And women, too, for that matter. Personally, I like an honest commitment-phobe more than a philandering-but-married Little League coach.

I don't see what's wrong with adults who live for themselves (as someone put it earlier). Most of my friends are single and focus on their own passions and interests -- and why not?

I wonder if time spent on art/museums/theater/concerts would seem immature to the writer of the article lph mentioned? There's really no difference in those activities and sports -- except that, I guess, they are more conventional, especially as one gets older.

[indysteel]

Probably related to what Irulan said is an unfolding scandal in Volusia County (Daytona Beach) Beach Patrol, where male career lifeguards in their 30s and 40s preyed on female lifeguards and sunbathers in their late teens, without regard for whether they were work subordinates, or legally of age to consent.

There is a phenomenon, no doubt, but I'm not sure from what lph said that her paper's article describes it.

Just to be devil's advocate, again, that male immaturity isn't necessarily victimless.

Agreed, which is why I said I didn't have a problem with it UNLESS it did somebody else harm. That said, I'm not sure "male immaturity" fully explains what happened in Daytona. Those men are pigs.