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Blog Entry 4 of 90 YourHub is a great forum
My wife says I have an opinion on everything. I guess that is correct as I possess what I call "McKnowledge": Knowing pretty much about a lot of things but not a lot about anything in particular. It is a type of surface knowledge learned as a salesman that allows me to converse with anybody from Snoop Dogg to George Will. It's fun but occasionally I have to get down and dirty and use that pesky "research" when I am writng a column since it is every columnist's nightmare to make an error. Short bio: I spent 4 years in the U. S. Air Force, graduated from the University of Central Missouri, had a career in sales that allowed me to move to Scottsdale, AZ in 1989. In 2004 I wrote a 7 part series on the history of television through the 1970's for TV TOME (now TV.com). I have done some TV ,radio, and public address work and write columns and blogs for the SCOTTSDALE REPUBLIC section of THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC and the NORTH SCOTTSDALE INDEPENDENT. I enjoy doing blogs and stories for YourHub in the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~ArizonaRenaissanceMan

Hey 20-somethings, time to wake up!

Contributed by: Jim McAllister   on 11/23/2006

Is it me or do guys in their 20's seem less mature than they used to? Some parents tell me they think that their son's vocabulary consists mainly of "dude", "I mean", "ya know", and "like." How do they know this? Usually it is because the 20 something guy is still living at home, probably in the basement as in, "Dude, it's like, free, and, I mean, my parents are cool with it, ya know?" Actually, dude, your parents aren't "cool with it" and would like for you to hit the road but are not sure you could handle it.

Now, if you are in high school, feel free to use this juvenile terminology if it makes you feel cool which you are not. But, by the time you are 18 or 19, you should hopefully be heading to college. While in that academic atmosphere, feel free to party, after all, that's part of what college is about. It's also time to get a degree, shine your shoes, get to work, and speak like an adult. Prove to the world that the money your parents spent on your tuition was at least semi-worth it.

Two factors have caused the immaturity of today's 20 something guys: The discontinuing of the military draft in 1973 and political correctness. Before 1973, when a guy turned 18 he registered with the local draft board and unless he had a college deferment or joined the military on his own, he could look forward to being called into the service for two years. The parents of that era were astonished at the maturity of their son after a hitch with Uncle Sam. Two years away from home spent in the military will do that. Political correctness? There is too much worry about self-esteem and feelings today. Kids can't play dodge ball anymore, they might get hurt. Everyone on every team gets a trophy, there are no losers. This mentality has destroyed self-reliance and the realization that life isn't always fair. Bill Gates nails it when he says, "Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life hasn't."

With today's competitive work environment, it's hard enough to succeed without talking like a high school kid. Grow up, guys and cut those apron strings.

Now, since I have the guys straightened out, I have a question for the girls: Do you have to say "totally", "whatever", and "really" so much?


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Showing 1-7 of 7 comments
Submitted By: Katherine Jerome
posted on 12/1/2006 @ 4:08:57 PM
Rated Blog Entry
We rode our kids like Schwinn's! They couldn't wait to move out!
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Submitted By: Nancy Mirikitani
posted on 12/1/2006 @ 11:21:44 AM
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Hi Jim, Read your blog and it sounds like what a friend of ours calls the 20 year olds, soccer-mom-babies. I agree they are so use to being praised and winning trophies for participation it seems to have eliminated the need to prove one's self. Keep up the frankness so we can all vent! NEM
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Submitted By: Ray Garber
posted on 11/26/2006 @ 11:18:37 PM
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Good points, Jim! My younger brother was a classic example of what you're talking about---just could not leave Mama. Then, after playing student for the better part of 20 years, he expected to go to work for someone starting at 60K without having any work experience. They live in a dream world. Yes, the lack of any military training has contributed to this lack of self reliance and maturity. Keep up the great work, Jim! Ray Garber
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Submitted By: Cindy Schulte
posted on 11/26/2006 @ 3:34:01 PM
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Hi Jim! I have a son who is approaching 20 in a couple years. Some may call me old-fashioned, but I've tried to raise him to be aware of other's needs, correct his English when I hear him make a mistake, teach him that life isn't always fair, and help him understand that someday he may want to go out and live on his own. Now he and my daughter have been taught all about "warm fuzzies" at school which has led to some bizarre parent-teacher conference/conversations in years past. Society looks upon parents like us as those needing alot of parenting skills updates. I just tell the kids, "Lets see how much better you do when it's your turn"! It'll all come out in therapy, Jim! Best wishes, Cindy!
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Submitted By: Allen Duffis
posted on 11/26/2006 @ 1:07:06 PM
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Hi Jim, right on point as usual! The big question is, will your message get across to the groups it was intended for- namely, the 20 somethings and their over-protective parents? The over 20's group is noted for fielding a phlosophy that 'listening to no one but your own peer group, and in the process knowing and learning nothing' is, in itself, actual wisdom. I don't see the present status improving too soon, as long as mom and dad are supplying food, shelter, clothes, cigarettes, the occasional beer and pocket change. Why should they strike out on their own, when they can live so comfortably on the fears of their parents that, if pushed from the nest, the fledgling won't be able to fly? In retrospect, our generation prospered from being exposed to the coarse realities of life - generally referred to as the 'School of Hard Knocks' and, all things considered, we didn't do too badly. We put a human on the moon. Allen J. Duffis
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Submitted By: Jim McAllister
posted on 11/24/2006 @ 10:11:36 AM
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Thanks, Ron, for your comment. You're right, the MTV mentality has become pervasive with its unreal look at life. MTV was a great channel when it came on showing music videos only. It is still OK as long as it is kept in context as the fantasy channel that it is. I miss the simplicity of its first day of broadcast on 8-1-81 with The Buggles and "Video Killed the Radio Star."
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Submitted By: Ronald Hejny
posted on 11/24/2006 @ 6:41:15 AM
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Wonderfull. I have long watched this developing trend. Perhaps also caused by 2 family incomes exhausting the parenting attention when they finally do get home and also what I call the MTV influence-Flash, cars, exciting careers are just a "chance" away-and not due to study, hard work, focus and determination. Ron.
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Showing 1-7 of 7 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Jim McAllister

Scottsdale , AZ

Jim McAllister has posted 103 blog entries and 146 comments since joining on 5/7/2006. Jim McAllister 's average blog rating is 4.77.
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