Dear Elders, Are teens today growing up too quickly, or is it the same pace as when you were a teen? – Too much too soon
Roioli Schweiker
Dear Too Much Too Soon,
Teens aren’t growing up faster, they are staying adolescent and dependent longer. With no responsibilities, they have more time to do silly things.
Steve Leavenworth
Dear Too Much Too Soon,
Too quickly, and they don’t realize it or appreciate their youth. In fact, they say youth is wasted on the young. After high school I went directly into the Air Force, and we grew up pretty fast. I don’t know how I would have done if not for the war. Too many college kids waste their first year in college recovering from binges. Even without the war, I doubt I would have done that. Guess I’m too serious.
Bill Twibill
Dear Similar,
There really is not that much of a difference. We had crew cuts, peg pants and much “making out.” We had screaming fans for Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Deanna Durbin, Joe Di Maggio, The Four Aces, Johnny Mathis, Jo Stafford, Judy Garland and Tony Bennett, Glenn Miller, Harry James, Perry Como, Patti Page, Kay Starr, Joni James and many more.
Guess what? They all sang and played with melody and understandable lyrics. They sold millions of records and filled the concert halls. Today’s teens still scream and carry on with some of the strangest named singers who manage to muffle all the song’s words because the singers put the microphone in their mouths. All have way too many tattoos, and to you ladies and gentlemen out there with those tattoos on your chests, those tattoos will all be dragged down to your stomachs in future years. The rose will be a long stemmed one down to your navel, and that flag will look like old-age spots on your pouch belly.
Otherwise it’s the same growing up as when I was a teen. My belly is pouched, and I don’t have enough hair for a crew cut any more.
Casper Kranenburg
Dear TMTS,
Yes, and it is a fact that the typical teenager in 1948 had an average height of 4-foot-9, while today’s teenagers stand at around 5-foot-6. Otherwise, it is in the eyes of the beholder. I remember that I could not wait to grow up to enjoy my first drink legally, and that is not too much different these days!
Jan Stickler
Dear Too Much,
Teens today are growing up at the same pace that matches their world. Our pace matched our world. Was it slower? Probably. Should teens slow down to our pace? Not if they want to keep up with their world.
I don’t think you can apply the same expectations to different times. A ball and some jacks do not compare to a Game Boy. I don’t care how old you are or how nostalgic. Teens today would be bored out of their minds living our youth and their children will, probably, feel the same way. It is all part of the cycle.
