What makes an adult? | James Deneka-Lavers | TEDxFrome

TL;DR

Transition into adulthood lacks defined behaviors and effective rites of passage, leading to arrested development.

Transcript

Transcriber: Alis Ilgaz Yavuz Reviewer: Dian P. Am I an adult? What makes an adult? How do we define adulthood? There is lots of things you can do when you become an adult. You can vote. You can buy a house. You can get a proper job. But what about in terms of behavior? When an infant grows into a toddler, there's new things that they're able to do... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖤 Transitioning into adulthood lacks defined behaviors and effective rites of passage.
• 🖤 Adults often exhibit teenage behaviors under pressure due to this lack.
• ❓ Effective rites of passage, like potty training, can provide structure and support for transitioning into adulthood.
• ✋ Structured transitions into adulthood are essential for handling high-pressure situations successfully.
• 🧑 Communities and cultures can benefit from implementing adult rites of passage to avoid arrested behavioral development.
• 👶 Adulthood transitions involve new capabilities and behaviors, necessitating clear markers for adulthood.
• 🥺 Lack of defined behaviors in adulthood can lead to adults feeling like teenagers deep down.

Questions & Answers

Q: What defines adulthood in terms of behavior?

Adulthood lacks defined behaviors, leading to adults exhibiting teenage behaviors under pressure, due to the absence of effective rites of passage and clear markers of transitioning into adulthood.

Q: How do effective rites of passage help in transitioning to adulthood?

Effective rites of passage, like potty training, involve an ordeal, sacrifice, and transformation, providing a clear structure for individuals to give up old behaviors and adopt new ones publicly, with the support of their community.

Q: How do new capabilities affect behavior in different life stages?

New capabilities in different life stages, such as toddlers developing tantrums or adults exhibiting teenage behaviors, are normal and appropriate, emphasizing the need for defined transitions and behaviors in adulthood.

Q: Why is it important to have structured transitions into adulthood?

Structured transitions into adulthood, with effective rites of passage, are crucial to avoid arrested behavioral development and ensure adults can handle high-pressure situations without reverting to previous stages of development.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Transitioning from adolescence to adulthood involves new capabilities and behaviors.

• Lack of defined behaviors in adulthood leads to adults exhibiting teenage behaviors under pressure.

• Effective rites of passage, like potty training, are essential for successful transitions.