When you're all grown up...

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When do you become an adult? Some say 18.. I say you're an adult when you are able to provide the material means (income) to support yourself in the world - when you make enough money in your chosen field, whatever it may be, to pay all your own expenses. You can afford the rent on your own place and pay the electricity, water, and sewer bill. You pay your own car payment, car insurance, gasoline, groceries, toiletries, hair cuts, makeup, clothes, laundry costs, medical insurance - doctor co-payments and prescriptions, and your own telephone bill. And if there's any money left over, you pay your own entertainment expenses - eating out, movies, and whatever else you have in mind. When you can do all that, provide completely for your own material needs, without resorting to borrowing, begging. stealing or prostituting yourself, you're an adult, and not before.

You're not an adult until you can stand on your own and support yourself in this world. And age has very little to do with it.

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 1, 2010 at 8:39 PM

    When I was a teenager my Dad gave me a copy of "If" by Rudyard Kipling and he added his own notes reflecting what you said. I agree with you it's about responsibility not age.

    ReplyDelete

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