Final Reflective Writing
In high school I took human development but after taking it this semester I learned that one can never know enough about the human experience. The things that I found interesting in high school have completely changed from the things I found interesting this semester. I learned new things about children and elderly as well as things about myself that I had never understood. I felt affirmed in my stage of life and challenged by how different my teenage years seemed to be compared to others. I will always remember what I learned about myself during this class and I will be glad to stop thinking about turning 80 years old someday. In my life I will use what I have learned about different stages when I work with them in my future career, while I work with the different ages I will pass on what I know about the stage they are going through.
Now that I have four adorable nieces and nephews I found the younger stages of life much more interesting and found the different theories of growth the most interesting new information. I found myself agreeing mostly with Erikson’s theories all through life’s stages. This semester I also found myself more interested in the late adulthood stages as I have been fascinated by my aging grandmother lately. The challenges facing late adulthood are very real and I found myself understanding my grandmother much better after this semester.
Along with understanding my grandmother better I also found myself very much understood by chapter 11 emerging adulthood. Before reading this chapter I felt a little lost in life, feeling like a stunted adult, almost there but almost failing in some ways. When I read this chapter I felt more affirmed in my status than I ever had, I felt like I was a part of a generation and not alone and lost in my position, it was a very comforting moment. Along with understanding the stage I belong to know I finally understood why I never felt like I fit into my teenage stage of life. After participating in the class discussion and reading about the obstacles in a teenagers life that I did not experience, I knew that it was not them it was me who was different and I am very thankful for that. I am thankful that I always felt connected to my family, and didn’t have to worry about fitting in too much, and all of that could be attributed to emigrating from a different country and having different concerns than my peers.
As I now move on with my life I know that many things from this class will stay with me. I had some very intense realizations about myself while learning about the human experience through the developmental stages. It was not all comfortable and fun and I will be happy to stop thinking about becoming a late adult and dealing with death, but I have had amazing moments of clarity that I cannot and never want to forget. As I carry on to become an occupational therapist I will pass on the important things I have learned in this class as I work with the varying stages of life from the young children to the late adults as I work on activities of daily living with them. I plan on continually learning about human development because there is always something more to learn about the experiences we share through many stages of this life.
Now that I have four adorable nieces and nephews I found the younger stages of life much more interesting and found the different theories of growth the most interesting new information. I found myself agreeing mostly with Erikson’s theories all through life’s stages. This semester I also found myself more interested in the late adulthood stages as I have been fascinated by my aging grandmother lately. The challenges facing late adulthood are very real and I found myself understanding my grandmother much better after this semester.
Along with understanding my grandmother better I also found myself very much understood by chapter 11 emerging adulthood. Before reading this chapter I felt a little lost in life, feeling like a stunted adult, almost there but almost failing in some ways. When I read this chapter I felt more affirmed in my status than I ever had, I felt like I was a part of a generation and not alone and lost in my position, it was a very comforting moment. Along with understanding the stage I belong to know I finally understood why I never felt like I fit into my teenage stage of life. After participating in the class discussion and reading about the obstacles in a teenagers life that I did not experience, I knew that it was not them it was me who was different and I am very thankful for that. I am thankful that I always felt connected to my family, and didn’t have to worry about fitting in too much, and all of that could be attributed to emigrating from a different country and having different concerns than my peers.
As I now move on with my life I know that many things from this class will stay with me. I had some very intense realizations about myself while learning about the human experience through the developmental stages. It was not all comfortable and fun and I will be happy to stop thinking about becoming a late adult and dealing with death, but I have had amazing moments of clarity that I cannot and never want to forget. As I carry on to become an occupational therapist I will pass on the important things I have learned in this class as I work with the varying stages of life from the young children to the late adults as I work on activities of daily living with them. I plan on continually learning about human development because there is always something more to learn about the experiences we share through many stages of this life.
Signature Assignment
In the Chapters 1 & 2 Topic for Discussion of Nature vs. Nurture I felt like my best written discussion was completed, my thoughts were succinct and complete and I really got across what I meant to say about the things I believe to be inherent in me and what I believe might be more of a learned behavior. I also think it sparked a fun interaction between classmates seen below as it gave them a chance to integrate knowledge from other classes and really gave us meaningful interaction to help each other.
“By nature I have the phenotype of blues eyes, and just like my mother’s they have a yellow ring around the pupil that change the color of my eye as my pupil expands/contracts. My eyes have been impacted by nurturing as all my schooling has changed my eye sight capability. As proven by experiments presented in the text book, I feel that the last 6 years of college I have experienced have significantly diminished my eye sight. I only noticed nearsightedness after years of long nights squinting at computer screens and text books, now I need glasses more than ever. This proves itself to me more and more as I need to wear glasses for longer time periods after studying, more than likely after I have written this discussion as well.
Nurture has been presented in my life in the form of a few competitive sports. I know it is not my nature to be competitive because naturally I am very much averse to being competitive, but at a young age I started playing field hockey and swimming and now those are really the only things I am competitive in, when it comes to other sports or games I really could not care less if I win or lose I just want to have fun. Because I excelled in these two sports as a child and received such a positive experience from participating in them I was nurtured to be competitive in them. I do feel nature played a role in this nurturing because I have always had a stronger build and strong hands that makes these two sports easier to excel in.”
Sep 15, 2012
Chelsea
Holly,
I as well found that eyesight fact in the textbook very interesting. I have very good eyesight but I haven't spent my life focusing on school. Now I know to make sure to get carrots and blueberries in my system daily to prevent this since I am engaging in school now. =)
fun fact: not only carrots improve and help your eyesight, blueberries do as well. Blueberries also improve your night vision. I learned this and ate so many blueberries for a couple months and I actually did see a little clearer. I stopped though, but I am going to try it again for a longer period of time and see how much better my vision improves (maybe along with carrots too!).nice post.
Sep 15, 2012
Elizabeth
Snap Chelsea I learned this same thing in my foods and nutrition class! Anything Vitamin A is also good for eyes, and chuck full of antioxidants! Google it, you'll find great results.
Sep 15, 2012
Holly Slabbert
AWESOME! Thanks guys I will look into that for sure! I love blueberries!
-
In Chapters 5 & 6 Topic for Discussion I got a chance to share some information that is very important to me and really got me interested in my field of study in the first place as I shared research I have done on the effect of TV on autism rates. I also thought it sparked interesting comments and I felt it opened a few people’s eyes to this correlation and just may keep others aware when working with children in the future.
“The first thing I think about is the research I have done previously with the effects of television increasing the cases of autism. I am no expert and do not believe that only TV is the cause of autism but the statistics are in high favor of too much TV too early in a child's life can be a substantial environmental trigger. This to me is not a risk worth taking in this case alone. I also believe moderation in all things and balance, as I have seen with my nieces and nephews, sometimes it is very calming for them to sit and watch an episode of backyardigans and unwind from the stress of moving to a new home for example. So with the benefits of rare to moderate media exposure I don't believe that the answer is cutting out all media exposure but integrating real life play to bring important development in these crucial young years.
The years of 2-6 are extremely crucial developmental years and if one leaves a child to be educated by media alone there will be many different problems arising than just physical and cognitive but psychosocial as well. I also think it is interesting that most children do not naturally want to sit and watch TV all day but after a while they can get use to it. To me this is a sign that they should be playing and learning as OT's play with children so that they can take important steps to physically and emotionally succeeding and failing, which leads to learning how to deal with life situations, that they would not get from just watching situations play out on TV.
Here is an article to back up my thoughts on TV and autism:
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2006/10/tv_really_might_cause_autism.html”
Lara F
Thanks for sharing that research, Hollie! I hadn't heard about that correlation before. It takes me back to our Nature/Nurture discussion, maybe if there is a genetic vulnerability, it could be a trigger?
Oct 5, 2012
Jeremy
Hey Holly,
I absolutely love your post! I had never heard of a correlation before, possibly linking early exposure to TV and as a result causing Autism in children. I agree with you that a certain moderation and balance is a good way to live, but at the same time part of me feels that if something is bad or potentially harmful, we should get rid of it! Then again, take what I’m saying with a grain of salt, considering as we speak, I’m drinking a ROCKSTAR! Hmm I think I smell hypocrisy!!! Haha. Nonetheless, I do think that it is especially important to completely get rid of things that are bad or potentially harmful for our children. Taking into consideration that children don’t know any better and we are supposed to protect them from harm, so if we sense danger we should listen to that feeling! Also, I think a good rule of hand when it comes to children is to say to ourselves, will my child thank me when he/she becomes an adult? Anyways, I read the article that you posted and found it intriguing! I am definitely going to be following future studies on the correlation between Autism and Television.
Oct 6, 2012
Adilene
Holly love the way how you share some information about autism. I agree with not eliminating media entirely. But we do have to keep it to a minimal. Having a limit (rule) for our kids, i believe shows them responsibility. When i was growing up even the door was a privelige not a right like my mother use to say.
Oct 6, 2012
Holly Slabbert
Im so glad you guys agree. Lara I agree very much that nature and nurture play heavily into this correlation. Jeremy haha we are all hipocrites at some point in our lives and I think you make a good point and it is important to follow this research as it improves and who knows maybe then we will cut it out altogether! Adilene it is great when rules have multiple benefits :)
-
The final discussion I want to share is in Chapter 11 Topic for Discussion, because I was very surprised by how much interaction my comment sparked in my classmates, it was the most I have ever had others comment and there were a lot of strong emotions in the comments. I think it was a mix of my passion for the subject of emerging adults and my honest and open way of expressing just how much I relate to this stage of life right now. I also think a good rock n roll song gets people’s attention. This ended up being the most fulfilling discussion for me as I read how much people responded to my position in life at the moment. It taught me an important lesson in how much others respond to me being honest and open about my passionate feelings.
“I feel very passionate about this post because I feel that I am exactly what this chapter is discussing. When I read the introduction it could almost have been about me. 3 colleges later and in the age range, still living with my parents and not really feeling like an adult, having adult responsibilities while not having my own family, I could not agree more with this stage being included because I am living it. I don't think this is across all cultures but I do think it is affecting many upcoming generations worldwide to a point that it should be introduced and discussed. While my parents are supportive of my life choices and encourage me to live the life I am most passionate about, it is not the way the spent their 20's, by my age my mother had two children and they were a very happy family, but my parents didn't necessarily want that for my life for me, with all the opportunities I have they want me to make use of them and live my life to the fullest, whatever that means to me.
I have always thought that the Alice Cooper song "Im 18" really describes the feelings of the "emerging adult" I guess now it could be renamed I am 18 to 25 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNF2KNcRm-U”
Nov 12, 2012
Ronald
Holly, It was very interesting reading this chapter and seeing where the norms are set. I fall on the opposite side of things where I had my kids at a young age and started my career at the age of 18 (Military). The down side is that I did not begin attending college till about ten months ago. I am well on my way now, but wish that I would have begun at a younger age. I’m pretty sure that 95% of my friends fall into the norms of the reading including staying at home longer, higher drug use, and no kids till almost thirty. They attended college younger and partied a lot. Having my oldest child at such a young age somewhat forced me to “grow up” faster than many of the people I went to high school with, and that is also the reason that I began my career at such a young age!
Nov 12, 2012
Shyla
Holly I agree. Being in my twenties I've been slow to pick a career, start a family and root myself down to one place. Over the last two years I meet the man I always waited for and inherited a step daughter. If I didn't feel like I was behind on my life plan... I sure do now. I'm not where I thought I'd be a 29, the pressure to get there now is tenfold.
Nov 14, 2012
Janet
Holly I liked how you put that emerging adult is for the upcoming generations would really have to agree with that. I think that a lot people coming out of high school right now and that same generation but a little older (like yourself maybe) would and do fit perfectly in this category too. I wonder what has caused this change in our culture, is it the generation that are parents of these emerging adults and the way that they parent or just our society in general?
Nov 14, 2012
Daniel
Holly,
Thanks for sharing, I have friends in your same situation. And how you said it describes you specifically. I have it does the same thing with regards to a couple of my friends. It is interesting to hear about what our parents were doing when they were our age. My parents had kids earlier then I started.
Nov 14, 2012
Donna
Yes I agree, what were our parents like at that age? I no I had a heck of a time and it seems it's even harder in this day and age. My daughter turned 29 in July and has lived at home on and off all her life. For some reason she just can't seem to overcome this phase.
Nov 15, 2012
Lara F
Holly, I chuckled at " now it could be renamed I am 18 to 25" :D
Nov 15, 2012
Lara F
Definitely some cohort and cultural determinants for this stage. What contributes to making this stage even possible?
Nov 16, 2012
Donna
I get so frustrated with my daughter especially being 29 and never had to sit down and budget money or pay a bill in her life. She has lived in and out of my home as well because she does not like being alone. Even though she has her 10 year old son when it's just her and him she just cannot handle it. I personally love being by myself and I've been that way all my life. I also learned at a very young age what having to pay bills was as well as how terribly hard it was to make ends meet. I started working full time at the age of 16 and by the age of 21 I was a single mom with 2 children having to fend for myself and my two children. I know I was much more focused on life at the age of 29 and it's hard for me to grasp the immaturity in kids today. I think more focus needs to be put on the emerging adult period so each child going through it can have a better understanding of exactly what will happen and maybe more of a focus to help adults better understand some of the emerging adult changes they will be going through. We need to communicate better with children of this age as well and let them know their feelings they are having are okay and as long as we keep the lines of communication open and discuss them the less stress the emerging adult will go through.
Nov 16, 2012
Nicholas
I think its awesome your parents don't try to push on you what they did. They want you to do what's best for you. Also, Alice Cooper rocks! This song is a great representation of ideals of emerging adults. Thanks
Nov 16, 2012
Alexis
In response to Donna. I like how you say that more focus needs to be put on the emerging adult so that they are more prepared for what is ahead. Just coming out of high school I remember taking all of my required classes one of them being financial literacy. At the time I could really only relate to my life what I was experiencing. I had a part time job but I didn't really have to apply much of it to my life like paying bills or anything. And now that I can see how relevant all of that was I do wish that they had made it more realistic for me. At that point in my life I could have cared less. Even if they had moved that class to my twelfth grade year when I was applying for college and trying to figure out the finances, that would have been more relevant for me. I think that if there was more education for this stage of our lives we could start preparing for it sooner and be better equipped to handle it.
Nov 17, 2012
Holly Slabbert
Ronald I have a lot of respect for the choices you have made, it takes a real man to grow up faster than your peers.
Janet and Lara, I really think that growing opportunities have made this phase of life possible, I know being a woman has changed over the years, and there are some negative things that could contribute to the prolonging of this phase of life like too many toys that stop emerging adults from wanting to "grow up".
NIcholas I agree! ROck ON!
Nov 17, 2012
Shyla
Donna,
I'm not completely aware of your situation but I feel it's sweet you support your daughter and that she has somewhere to turn. I also feel it needs to be you to set the example, if you want her to be independent maybe you need to give her a nudge in that direction. I was kick out at age seventeen. when you have to provide for yourself you will find a way no matter how hard it may be.
Nov 19, 2012
Chelsea
Yes, about half of my friends live in their parent's basement and the other half moved far away from their parents.. It really depends on who you surrounded yourself with and your relationship with your parents. As I was reaching my later teen years (17-18) I still had conflicts with my parents and made sure to be out of there once I could.
“By nature I have the phenotype of blues eyes, and just like my mother’s they have a yellow ring around the pupil that change the color of my eye as my pupil expands/contracts. My eyes have been impacted by nurturing as all my schooling has changed my eye sight capability. As proven by experiments presented in the text book, I feel that the last 6 years of college I have experienced have significantly diminished my eye sight. I only noticed nearsightedness after years of long nights squinting at computer screens and text books, now I need glasses more than ever. This proves itself to me more and more as I need to wear glasses for longer time periods after studying, more than likely after I have written this discussion as well.
Nurture has been presented in my life in the form of a few competitive sports. I know it is not my nature to be competitive because naturally I am very much averse to being competitive, but at a young age I started playing field hockey and swimming and now those are really the only things I am competitive in, when it comes to other sports or games I really could not care less if I win or lose I just want to have fun. Because I excelled in these two sports as a child and received such a positive experience from participating in them I was nurtured to be competitive in them. I do feel nature played a role in this nurturing because I have always had a stronger build and strong hands that makes these two sports easier to excel in.”
Sep 15, 2012
Chelsea
Holly,
I as well found that eyesight fact in the textbook very interesting. I have very good eyesight but I haven't spent my life focusing on school. Now I know to make sure to get carrots and blueberries in my system daily to prevent this since I am engaging in school now. =)
fun fact: not only carrots improve and help your eyesight, blueberries do as well. Blueberries also improve your night vision. I learned this and ate so many blueberries for a couple months and I actually did see a little clearer. I stopped though, but I am going to try it again for a longer period of time and see how much better my vision improves (maybe along with carrots too!).nice post.
Sep 15, 2012
Elizabeth
Snap Chelsea I learned this same thing in my foods and nutrition class! Anything Vitamin A is also good for eyes, and chuck full of antioxidants! Google it, you'll find great results.
Sep 15, 2012
Holly Slabbert
AWESOME! Thanks guys I will look into that for sure! I love blueberries!
-
In Chapters 5 & 6 Topic for Discussion I got a chance to share some information that is very important to me and really got me interested in my field of study in the first place as I shared research I have done on the effect of TV on autism rates. I also thought it sparked interesting comments and I felt it opened a few people’s eyes to this correlation and just may keep others aware when working with children in the future.
“The first thing I think about is the research I have done previously with the effects of television increasing the cases of autism. I am no expert and do not believe that only TV is the cause of autism but the statistics are in high favor of too much TV too early in a child's life can be a substantial environmental trigger. This to me is not a risk worth taking in this case alone. I also believe moderation in all things and balance, as I have seen with my nieces and nephews, sometimes it is very calming for them to sit and watch an episode of backyardigans and unwind from the stress of moving to a new home for example. So with the benefits of rare to moderate media exposure I don't believe that the answer is cutting out all media exposure but integrating real life play to bring important development in these crucial young years.
The years of 2-6 are extremely crucial developmental years and if one leaves a child to be educated by media alone there will be many different problems arising than just physical and cognitive but psychosocial as well. I also think it is interesting that most children do not naturally want to sit and watch TV all day but after a while they can get use to it. To me this is a sign that they should be playing and learning as OT's play with children so that they can take important steps to physically and emotionally succeeding and failing, which leads to learning how to deal with life situations, that they would not get from just watching situations play out on TV.
Here is an article to back up my thoughts on TV and autism:
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2006/10/tv_really_might_cause_autism.html”
Lara F
Thanks for sharing that research, Hollie! I hadn't heard about that correlation before. It takes me back to our Nature/Nurture discussion, maybe if there is a genetic vulnerability, it could be a trigger?
Oct 5, 2012
Jeremy
Hey Holly,
I absolutely love your post! I had never heard of a correlation before, possibly linking early exposure to TV and as a result causing Autism in children. I agree with you that a certain moderation and balance is a good way to live, but at the same time part of me feels that if something is bad or potentially harmful, we should get rid of it! Then again, take what I’m saying with a grain of salt, considering as we speak, I’m drinking a ROCKSTAR! Hmm I think I smell hypocrisy!!! Haha. Nonetheless, I do think that it is especially important to completely get rid of things that are bad or potentially harmful for our children. Taking into consideration that children don’t know any better and we are supposed to protect them from harm, so if we sense danger we should listen to that feeling! Also, I think a good rule of hand when it comes to children is to say to ourselves, will my child thank me when he/she becomes an adult? Anyways, I read the article that you posted and found it intriguing! I am definitely going to be following future studies on the correlation between Autism and Television.
Oct 6, 2012
Adilene
Holly love the way how you share some information about autism. I agree with not eliminating media entirely. But we do have to keep it to a minimal. Having a limit (rule) for our kids, i believe shows them responsibility. When i was growing up even the door was a privelige not a right like my mother use to say.
Oct 6, 2012
Holly Slabbert
Im so glad you guys agree. Lara I agree very much that nature and nurture play heavily into this correlation. Jeremy haha we are all hipocrites at some point in our lives and I think you make a good point and it is important to follow this research as it improves and who knows maybe then we will cut it out altogether! Adilene it is great when rules have multiple benefits :)
-
The final discussion I want to share is in Chapter 11 Topic for Discussion, because I was very surprised by how much interaction my comment sparked in my classmates, it was the most I have ever had others comment and there were a lot of strong emotions in the comments. I think it was a mix of my passion for the subject of emerging adults and my honest and open way of expressing just how much I relate to this stage of life right now. I also think a good rock n roll song gets people’s attention. This ended up being the most fulfilling discussion for me as I read how much people responded to my position in life at the moment. It taught me an important lesson in how much others respond to me being honest and open about my passionate feelings.
“I feel very passionate about this post because I feel that I am exactly what this chapter is discussing. When I read the introduction it could almost have been about me. 3 colleges later and in the age range, still living with my parents and not really feeling like an adult, having adult responsibilities while not having my own family, I could not agree more with this stage being included because I am living it. I don't think this is across all cultures but I do think it is affecting many upcoming generations worldwide to a point that it should be introduced and discussed. While my parents are supportive of my life choices and encourage me to live the life I am most passionate about, it is not the way the spent their 20's, by my age my mother had two children and they were a very happy family, but my parents didn't necessarily want that for my life for me, with all the opportunities I have they want me to make use of them and live my life to the fullest, whatever that means to me.
I have always thought that the Alice Cooper song "Im 18" really describes the feelings of the "emerging adult" I guess now it could be renamed I am 18 to 25 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNF2KNcRm-U”
Nov 12, 2012
Ronald
Holly, It was very interesting reading this chapter and seeing where the norms are set. I fall on the opposite side of things where I had my kids at a young age and started my career at the age of 18 (Military). The down side is that I did not begin attending college till about ten months ago. I am well on my way now, but wish that I would have begun at a younger age. I’m pretty sure that 95% of my friends fall into the norms of the reading including staying at home longer, higher drug use, and no kids till almost thirty. They attended college younger and partied a lot. Having my oldest child at such a young age somewhat forced me to “grow up” faster than many of the people I went to high school with, and that is also the reason that I began my career at such a young age!
Nov 12, 2012
Shyla
Holly I agree. Being in my twenties I've been slow to pick a career, start a family and root myself down to one place. Over the last two years I meet the man I always waited for and inherited a step daughter. If I didn't feel like I was behind on my life plan... I sure do now. I'm not where I thought I'd be a 29, the pressure to get there now is tenfold.
Nov 14, 2012
Janet
Holly I liked how you put that emerging adult is for the upcoming generations would really have to agree with that. I think that a lot people coming out of high school right now and that same generation but a little older (like yourself maybe) would and do fit perfectly in this category too. I wonder what has caused this change in our culture, is it the generation that are parents of these emerging adults and the way that they parent or just our society in general?
Nov 14, 2012
Daniel
Holly,
Thanks for sharing, I have friends in your same situation. And how you said it describes you specifically. I have it does the same thing with regards to a couple of my friends. It is interesting to hear about what our parents were doing when they were our age. My parents had kids earlier then I started.
Nov 14, 2012
Donna
Yes I agree, what were our parents like at that age? I no I had a heck of a time and it seems it's even harder in this day and age. My daughter turned 29 in July and has lived at home on and off all her life. For some reason she just can't seem to overcome this phase.
Nov 15, 2012
Lara F
Holly, I chuckled at " now it could be renamed I am 18 to 25" :D
Nov 15, 2012
Lara F
Definitely some cohort and cultural determinants for this stage. What contributes to making this stage even possible?
Nov 16, 2012
Donna
I get so frustrated with my daughter especially being 29 and never had to sit down and budget money or pay a bill in her life. She has lived in and out of my home as well because she does not like being alone. Even though she has her 10 year old son when it's just her and him she just cannot handle it. I personally love being by myself and I've been that way all my life. I also learned at a very young age what having to pay bills was as well as how terribly hard it was to make ends meet. I started working full time at the age of 16 and by the age of 21 I was a single mom with 2 children having to fend for myself and my two children. I know I was much more focused on life at the age of 29 and it's hard for me to grasp the immaturity in kids today. I think more focus needs to be put on the emerging adult period so each child going through it can have a better understanding of exactly what will happen and maybe more of a focus to help adults better understand some of the emerging adult changes they will be going through. We need to communicate better with children of this age as well and let them know their feelings they are having are okay and as long as we keep the lines of communication open and discuss them the less stress the emerging adult will go through.
Nov 16, 2012
Nicholas
I think its awesome your parents don't try to push on you what they did. They want you to do what's best for you. Also, Alice Cooper rocks! This song is a great representation of ideals of emerging adults. Thanks
Nov 16, 2012
Alexis
In response to Donna. I like how you say that more focus needs to be put on the emerging adult so that they are more prepared for what is ahead. Just coming out of high school I remember taking all of my required classes one of them being financial literacy. At the time I could really only relate to my life what I was experiencing. I had a part time job but I didn't really have to apply much of it to my life like paying bills or anything. And now that I can see how relevant all of that was I do wish that they had made it more realistic for me. At that point in my life I could have cared less. Even if they had moved that class to my twelfth grade year when I was applying for college and trying to figure out the finances, that would have been more relevant for me. I think that if there was more education for this stage of our lives we could start preparing for it sooner and be better equipped to handle it.
Nov 17, 2012
Holly Slabbert
Ronald I have a lot of respect for the choices you have made, it takes a real man to grow up faster than your peers.
Janet and Lara, I really think that growing opportunities have made this phase of life possible, I know being a woman has changed over the years, and there are some negative things that could contribute to the prolonging of this phase of life like too many toys that stop emerging adults from wanting to "grow up".
NIcholas I agree! ROck ON!
Nov 17, 2012
Shyla
Donna,
I'm not completely aware of your situation but I feel it's sweet you support your daughter and that she has somewhere to turn. I also feel it needs to be you to set the example, if you want her to be independent maybe you need to give her a nudge in that direction. I was kick out at age seventeen. when you have to provide for yourself you will find a way no matter how hard it may be.
Nov 19, 2012
Chelsea
Yes, about half of my friends live in their parent's basement and the other half moved far away from their parents.. It really depends on who you surrounded yourself with and your relationship with your parents. As I was reaching my later teen years (17-18) I still had conflicts with my parents and made sure to be out of there once I could.