...The book Teenage by Jon Savage is interesting in how it looks at the whole creation of the teenager starting in the 19th century. Before that there were just children and adults.
It's kind of why I hate YA literature, but love children's books. In the past their was childrens literature of course, but it wasn't "YA" ... it was just kids, along a spectrum of age. Then marketing to teens became very profitable.
Despite that I do think the transition to this other time period in life written about by Savage is correct.
Also I do think Hesgeth should have to ask for funding like the people NPR have been made to do...
I don’t disagree with you based on what I’ve seen at Scholastic book fairs — which I don’t know how that company clawed its ways into schools. But it seems so odd for such a small amount of time.
I guess, it’s branded as kid friendly and all this so it’s an easier pill to swallow. Part of me wants to say, at least they are reading, but I’m not sure that works anymore.
Josh! powerful as always. I do not have the time I usually do but I have to say I loved, "And all the nightmares of each empty head / Blew into air; ... " It reads almost like their heads were exploded! Already destroyed from war.
I believe we developed a concept of children as separate from adults at roughly the same time we could afford to. In other words, medieval kids didn’t have the luxury of being protected—which is different from saying they should or should not. I think they should. The very things that we wish to preserve in our children are the things we must ourselves hold on to as adults. Tending to children helps keep those qualities alive in them, and in ourselves.
So yes, I think like we did in the Victorian era with children, I think it’s once again time to recalibrate our view of adolescence. It’s absurd to say that in present-day America, 18-year-olds are fully fledged adults. 25 seems about right.
Two thoughts. Those familiar with Spiegelman's powerful corpus of works (MAUS) may have seen his collaborative drawings of traditional cartoons (Dick Tracy, Superman, etc) where he enlarges the published frame, illustrating, for instance, exposing Batman's genitalia as he pursues Joker. This offers opportunities to those who would enlarge on poems whose countenance obscures meaning. Second, childhood is--and always has been--a myth. I, for one, never had a childhood, thank God. For those of you convinced that you did, you are the victims of indoctrination and hallucinations.
Thanks for the Maus reference. I haven’t read it in quite a while and I did not know Spegelman did a 9/11 book (Shadow of no towers), which I’ve just ordered.
The Batman example is yes, exactly this!
On childhood, if I follow, I think you are agreeing with McLuhan. There really doesn’t need to be this distinction. In general I’m not a fan of age restrictions set by the Government tbh. But my enlistment age schtick seems to have the right amount of coming-out-of-left-field that it seems to stop the gears from turning momentarily. So I find it useful.
But I haven't forgotten being that age. Or their being that age.
I was in high school when 18 year olds got the right to vote - a lot of pressure because of all the young ones fighting in Viet Nam. Can't drink, can't vote, but here's your gun.
I wonder if anyone ever considered raising the draft age - or if they just rolled with the idea that 18, 29, 20 year old men are perfect soliders because of their age. Think about that for a bit. They are so young.
I had forgotten about that! Interesting question yeah, why not have raised the military age vs lowering the voting age. I suspect it’s because of exactly what you said.
I would actually like to see the age increased but for now I’m treating it is a kind of anti-environment. Just suggesting an idea like this seems to get people to consider the situation in a different way. Thanks Janie!
Stay alive!
...The book Teenage by Jon Savage is interesting in how it looks at the whole creation of the teenager starting in the 19th century. Before that there were just children and adults.
It's kind of why I hate YA literature, but love children's books. In the past their was childrens literature of course, but it wasn't "YA" ... it was just kids, along a spectrum of age. Then marketing to teens became very profitable.
Despite that I do think the transition to this other time period in life written about by Savage is correct.
Also I do think Hesgeth should have to ask for funding like the people NPR have been made to do...
I don’t disagree with you based on what I’ve seen at Scholastic book fairs — which I don’t know how that company clawed its ways into schools. But it seems so odd for such a small amount of time.
I guess, it’s branded as kid friendly and all this so it’s an easier pill to swallow. Part of me wants to say, at least they are reading, but I’m not sure that works anymore.
Josh! powerful as always. I do not have the time I usually do but I have to say I loved, "And all the nightmares of each empty head / Blew into air; ... " It reads almost like their heads were exploded! Already destroyed from war.
Thanks for sharing!
Yeah, I can’t believe that poem was written over a century ago!
This song came to mind while I was reading your post:
https://youtu.be/EAEKK8xCpBY?si=Z2Z6zdyBvZaRIQbj
I had forgotten about that song — it’s a good one.
I believe we developed a concept of children as separate from adults at roughly the same time we could afford to. In other words, medieval kids didn’t have the luxury of being protected—which is different from saying they should or should not. I think they should. The very things that we wish to preserve in our children are the things we must ourselves hold on to as adults. Tending to children helps keep those qualities alive in them, and in ourselves.
So yes, I think like we did in the Victorian era with children, I think it’s once again time to recalibrate our view of adolescence. It’s absurd to say that in present-day America, 18-year-olds are fully fledged adults. 25 seems about right.
This is the lesson from Tom Hanks’ Big, if you have childlike qualities at work you quickly get promoted :)
Get out of town! I JUST HAD a “Big” discussion with my wife! Literally within the hour.
It's amazing that a poem from over 100 years ago can still speak to humanity today. Poets really do have a gift
I know. Sometimes it felt like it could have been written yesterday.
Two thoughts. Those familiar with Spiegelman's powerful corpus of works (MAUS) may have seen his collaborative drawings of traditional cartoons (Dick Tracy, Superman, etc) where he enlarges the published frame, illustrating, for instance, exposing Batman's genitalia as he pursues Joker. This offers opportunities to those who would enlarge on poems whose countenance obscures meaning. Second, childhood is--and always has been--a myth. I, for one, never had a childhood, thank God. For those of you convinced that you did, you are the victims of indoctrination and hallucinations.
Thanks for the Maus reference. I haven’t read it in quite a while and I did not know Spegelman did a 9/11 book (Shadow of no towers), which I’ve just ordered.
The Batman example is yes, exactly this!
On childhood, if I follow, I think you are agreeing with McLuhan. There really doesn’t need to be this distinction. In general I’m not a fan of age restrictions set by the Government tbh. But my enlistment age schtick seems to have the right amount of coming-out-of-left-field that it seems to stop the gears from turning momentarily. So I find it useful.
I hear you. I do. Twenty-five seems so young, but eighteen seems impossibly young.
My kids are almost at this age and it just makes me realize how much I didn’t know when I was this young.
Mine are older. Youngest turning 39 this year.
But I haven't forgotten being that age. Or their being that age.
I was in high school when 18 year olds got the right to vote - a lot of pressure because of all the young ones fighting in Viet Nam. Can't drink, can't vote, but here's your gun.
I wonder if anyone ever considered raising the draft age - or if they just rolled with the idea that 18, 29, 20 year old men are perfect soliders because of their age. Think about that for a bit. They are so young.
I had forgotten about that! Interesting question yeah, why not have raised the military age vs lowering the voting age. I suspect it’s because of exactly what you said.
I would actually like to see the age increased but for now I’m treating it is a kind of anti-environment. Just suggesting an idea like this seems to get people to consider the situation in a different way. Thanks Janie!