I absolutely love this analysis! So spot on and well-researched. I also love how you speak to both sides, explaining how it’s so easy, especially with everything going on in the world, to want to self-infantilize.
Also, the history was so interesting! I hadn’t thought about it happening at other times in history as well, but it makes sense. Love all the research put into this!
Thank you so much!! Having historical context for contemporary trends is often something I try to include in my writing. We can learn so much from looking to the past sometimes.
Good point on addressing willful self-infantilization. Generally, people respond to incentives. If people are choosing to revert back to teenagedom or even childhood, it's because they want to. If more of our lives are lived on the internet, and the internet is place where everything ages in dog years and is terrible at keeping records, then the competition to stay young and relevant is fierce. With many Millennials either unable or unwilling to move to the next stage of life, I expect to see lots of conflict where there will be too many people trying to occupy the same spaces on the internet. A few months ago, there was a screenwriter on Twitter, in her 30s, who said something like how Gen Z had no stories to tell because they just stayed home all the time and were boring. The backlash was strong.
I think taking responsibility for the role we play in our self-infantilization is important, I’m glad you agree! Nowadays there are a lot of things that are out of young people’s control but throwing in the towel and choosing to ruminate in that space too long can be overly indulgent. There’s a fine line to walk. As a Gen Zer myself, that screenwriter you mentioned has some points...
I'm in complete agreement with you. It feels like we're afraid to say the word women. Like it sits uncomfortably on our tongue. I think we need to learn how to be free as young adults. Free to be silly and sarcastic and everything else without the pre-requisite of identifying as a teenager.
Have you heard of the non profit program called Let Grow. It talks about the origins of childhood delays and parents being more present in children's lives and having less autonomy. It brings up the things you written on your post.
I bought one of those adulting books, and forgot about it. As one does. When it showed up at my door I legit thought it was a sign from my time traveller self. A present from Barbs from the future, if you will. Then I checked my PayPal and the dream broke.
Very well written, thanks for taking the time to write it! I see this trend completely on the outside of it as my personal circumstances demanded being an adult way before the legal age for it. I can’t relate at all and I am quick to judge sometimes, both my generation(I’m 35) and for the younger folks. I didn’t grow up in the West(but I live there now!) which I believe also impacts me just not getting it. It helps to read about it as a broader phenomenon.
I just realized how many people in my life have infantilized and coddled me which has led me to infantilizing myself. I'm really happy I stumbled upon your article :"> It helped me understand my underlying frustrations about certain things concerning my past and present self.
This was so interesting to read and learn about! Thank you for writing this. I also really like your "How to Grow Up" article. I can't wait to read more of your work!
Thank you so much for reading, I’m so glad this resonated with you :) it’s hard not to infantilize yourself when you’re constantly being coddled, I know the feeling. Happy to have you here!
Brilliant. My 18 year old nephew, who is mature for his age, has been living with us the past 3 years. What you describe is spot on, a phenomenon I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. I scratch my head at why his peers don’t feel the need to commit to much, not get a drivers license, and do the things I did (I’m 40) at his age. I’m not naive and just throw my hands up and shake my head at a generation, I do actually get it, somewhat. This generation has so much more knowledge of what’s out there and I would probably refrain to do the stuff I got stuck with in my life too. Each generation, it’s the same though, like how each generation bitches about the current music being trash :) it’s always the same thoughts, different generation.
Yes yes, it’s very complex - I think it’s best to approach things with empathy and with a willingness to see all sides, matters are rarely black and white. It’s interesting how thoughts about past generations are often reused, doing this research really made me realize that we’re not as different from one another as we think.
I absolutely love this analysis! So spot on and well-researched. I also love how you speak to both sides, explaining how it’s so easy, especially with everything going on in the world, to want to self-infantilize.
Also, the history was so interesting! I hadn’t thought about it happening at other times in history as well, but it makes sense. Love all the research put into this!
Thank you so much!! Having historical context for contemporary trends is often something I try to include in my writing. We can learn so much from looking to the past sometimes.
I've got to become a boss baby
Don’t we all!
Good point on addressing willful self-infantilization. Generally, people respond to incentives. If people are choosing to revert back to teenagedom or even childhood, it's because they want to. If more of our lives are lived on the internet, and the internet is place where everything ages in dog years and is terrible at keeping records, then the competition to stay young and relevant is fierce. With many Millennials either unable or unwilling to move to the next stage of life, I expect to see lots of conflict where there will be too many people trying to occupy the same spaces on the internet. A few months ago, there was a screenwriter on Twitter, in her 30s, who said something like how Gen Z had no stories to tell because they just stayed home all the time and were boring. The backlash was strong.
I think taking responsibility for the role we play in our self-infantilization is important, I’m glad you agree! Nowadays there are a lot of things that are out of young people’s control but throwing in the towel and choosing to ruminate in that space too long can be overly indulgent. There’s a fine line to walk. As a Gen Zer myself, that screenwriter you mentioned has some points...
I'm in complete agreement with you. It feels like we're afraid to say the word women. Like it sits uncomfortably on our tongue. I think we need to learn how to be free as young adults. Free to be silly and sarcastic and everything else without the pre-requisite of identifying as a teenager.
Have you heard of the non profit program called Let Grow. It talks about the origins of childhood delays and parents being more present in children's lives and having less autonomy. It brings up the things you written on your post.
I haven't! Looks very applicable though :)
I bought one of those adulting books, and forgot about it. As one does. When it showed up at my door I legit thought it was a sign from my time traveller self. A present from Barbs from the future, if you will. Then I checked my PayPal and the dream broke.
i love how eloquently and sympathetically you’ve put this. it’s a topic i think about a lot, and you’ve summed it up neatly.
Thank you! Sympathy was what I was going for here, I'm glad it came across that way
Very well written, thanks for taking the time to write it! I see this trend completely on the outside of it as my personal circumstances demanded being an adult way before the legal age for it. I can’t relate at all and I am quick to judge sometimes, both my generation(I’m 35) and for the younger folks. I didn’t grow up in the West(but I live there now!) which I believe also impacts me just not getting it. It helps to read about it as a broader phenomenon.
love this
Thank you!
I just realized how many people in my life have infantilized and coddled me which has led me to infantilizing myself. I'm really happy I stumbled upon your article :"> It helped me understand my underlying frustrations about certain things concerning my past and present self.
This was so interesting to read and learn about! Thank you for writing this. I also really like your "How to Grow Up" article. I can't wait to read more of your work!
Thank you so much for reading, I’m so glad this resonated with you :) it’s hard not to infantilize yourself when you’re constantly being coddled, I know the feeling. Happy to have you here!
Brilliant. My 18 year old nephew, who is mature for his age, has been living with us the past 3 years. What you describe is spot on, a phenomenon I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. I scratch my head at why his peers don’t feel the need to commit to much, not get a drivers license, and do the things I did (I’m 40) at his age. I’m not naive and just throw my hands up and shake my head at a generation, I do actually get it, somewhat. This generation has so much more knowledge of what’s out there and I would probably refrain to do the stuff I got stuck with in my life too. Each generation, it’s the same though, like how each generation bitches about the current music being trash :) it’s always the same thoughts, different generation.
Yes yes, it’s very complex - I think it’s best to approach things with empathy and with a willingness to see all sides, matters are rarely black and white. It’s interesting how thoughts about past generations are often reused, doing this research really made me realize that we’re not as different from one another as we think.
This article resonated with me so much ! You nailed it !