So many young adults are expected to be taking some kind of
educational class, if not going to college or university. This has been my
experience. I have been asked enough times if I am in school or not. I know it
is the norm for young adults to be taking some kind of class, but these high
expectations for this generation is getting old.
It would be nice if there was this atmosphere for young
adults where they would feel encouraged and supported to do whatever they feel
led to do or to pursue a passion they have. As a result, I think this country
would have many more talented, passionate adults who would make a remarkable
impact in society and in our culture.
Unfortunately, not enough teenagers come from a place where
they have the freedom to think about what they would like to do one day,
without the significant pressure to go to school when they graduate. Of course
this is not always the case. One of the downsides to the decision to go to college
is debt. This is a unwise decision for an individual if they don't know how
they are going to pay it off in the future.
I have grown up in a family where by the time you turn 18
you are expected to be independent, but at the same time the parents are
supportive and encouraging. They become our mentors, giving us advice whenever
we need it, while respecting the fact that we are old enough to make our own
decisions. They do not pressure us, but leave it to us to decide about certain
things; even though at times we might try to lean on them to make the choice
for us. I have learned that when the parent leaves the choice-making to us, it
forces the young adult to think, decide, and plan with growing confidence.
I know, because I went through the same life lesson.
It is not an enjoyable one. You are going through a transition from being a
child who had to lean on the parents for care and then to an adult where you
are forced to take care of yourself. It can be a bitter time, struggling to
find that purpose you are to fulfill or just trying to understand what the
first step is. Leaning on Christ for strength, for wisdom during this crucial
time is important. If you let Him, He'll eventually show you what you need to
be doing. The parents, as well as other elders, can help you out with tons of
advice.
It is very important that a young adult is given lots of
room to learn what it means to make his/her decisions. They learn to make the
right choices over time, learn how to be independent, and realize what it means
to take care of one’s self. They have got to learn how to be this way, without
the parent pressuring. If they are not given this freedom (as bittersweet as it
might be), they will not learn what it means to be an adult.
Not only is this important, it is a perfect time for
parents to have talks with their adult children. It has helped me out immensely
when my parents took the time to give me their advice and help me think about
what I might like to do. They have even warned me about certain questionable
choices I was getting myself into. However, at the same time they would tell me
that it is up to me about what I'll decide to do. They don't sugar coat it.
They have made sure that I know what is right and wrong; as a result I have a
strong moral compass.
The first years of adulthood are scary sometimes for both
the parents and the young adult. In other families it is an easy transition. As
hard as it may be, young adults have got to make these first steps in life. It
lays the foundation of who they may become in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment