Over the holiday week, my Dad came to visit me. My family lives in California so it’s a rare occurrence that we get to spend holidays together. I showed him around the school and the city. We spent time talking about my work, school, what I saw myself doing after school was done…the usual father, daughter stuff. All in all, it was a great time.
But his visit made me think about being an adult…more importantly, when do you really feel like an adult? I’m 26 and I moved out at 18. I’ve been working and earning my own money since I was 16. I’ve bought furniture, a car and an apartment. My actions say I’m not a kid anymore. So, why, when we get around our parents, do we feel like kids again?
Is being a student contributing to this feeling of delayed adulthood? If you are a student who is taking classes and you’re not fresh out of high school, college feels different. But some would say we are being more adult by making the choice to return to school after a hiatus. I applaud those of us making that choice.
In these difficult economic times, many of my friends have had to move back in with their parents to get by. I refuse to believe that this means we have to revert to our childhood selves or be under the eye of scrutiny which may have plagued us as teenagers. Adulthood is not defined by actions, deeds or goods….and it shouldn’t be something to be feared. I think we all walk the line for a long time, no matter our age, of admitting that we are adults. In the end, I don’t think the opinions of others, even our own family, can define it. So I think, for this California girl, it’s time to stop trying.
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