On Turning 21
or The Fallacy of Growing Up
The birthday that finally awards everyone full adult status is often considered the last birthday to look forward to. After that, you're Just Getting Older. But let's all be honest - there probably isn't a soul living on this earth who actually declined any form of alcohol until he or she turned 21 years of age. To me, it seems like there is even less reason to celebrate at 21. Where's the excitement/pleasure in doing something that is now 100% legal? Is it the ability to go to bars? Those smokey holes would quickly be in the red if they expected me to support them in any way, shape, or form. Is it the ability to finally walk into a liquor store alone? Excuse me while I laugh at your joy in that childish pleasure.
Weren't we done growing up at 16? Once you're old enough to work and drive, what integral part of life is left? 18 years of life gets you assorted legal rights which most of us never have to concern ourselves with, along with the right to vote (which a lot of people will never exercise either). 21 gets you alcohol. Whoop-dee-doo.
Consider for a moment your own attitude or demeanor. Have you really changed that much since 16? (For most of us, that would be the sophomore year of high school.) Is your sense of humor any different? Sure you're smarter, but have you gained that much common sense? Have you done any complete turnarounds in personality? Introverted 16 year olds don't turn into outgoing 21 year olds, barring the influence of copious amounts of (CH)3(CH)2(OH). Seems to me that we have only deepened and strengthened the values that we already held. If you're not "grown up" now, then you probably never will be. If you weren't at least aware of what it truly meant to be grown up at 16, you probaby never made it there either.
Ah, to be young again...
or The Fallacy of Growing Up
The birthday that finally awards everyone full adult status is often considered the last birthday to look forward to. After that, you're Just Getting Older. But let's all be honest - there probably isn't a soul living on this earth who actually declined any form of alcohol until he or she turned 21 years of age. To me, it seems like there is even less reason to celebrate at 21. Where's the excitement/pleasure in doing something that is now 100% legal? Is it the ability to go to bars? Those smokey holes would quickly be in the red if they expected me to support them in any way, shape, or form. Is it the ability to finally walk into a liquor store alone? Excuse me while I laugh at your joy in that childish pleasure.
Weren't we done growing up at 16? Once you're old enough to work and drive, what integral part of life is left? 18 years of life gets you assorted legal rights which most of us never have to concern ourselves with, along with the right to vote (which a lot of people will never exercise either). 21 gets you alcohol. Whoop-dee-doo.
Consider for a moment your own attitude or demeanor. Have you really changed that much since 16? (For most of us, that would be the sophomore year of high school.) Is your sense of humor any different? Sure you're smarter, but have you gained that much common sense? Have you done any complete turnarounds in personality? Introverted 16 year olds don't turn into outgoing 21 year olds, barring the influence of copious amounts of (CH)3(CH)2(OH). Seems to me that we have only deepened and strengthened the values that we already held. If you're not "grown up" now, then you probably never will be. If you weren't at least aware of what it truly meant to be grown up at 16, you probaby never made it there either.
Ah, to be young again...
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