Discernment in a society that worships youth

[Court_11]

Hello young adults

Just wondering if anyone else feels that culture in the US is youth-worshipping and almost pressures young adults to rush to meet major milestones ‘while there still young’ when actually we have our entire lives

If anyone has biblical insight on discerning from cultural pressures on young adults vs what God’s will is, would love to discuss this more

 

[paisleypanther]

I totally agree with you. Growing up feels like it has been completely accelerated. I don't think there are any specific verses that really address this, but I know there are a lot of verses about God's perfect timing. While many young adults are pressured to do a lot of things (get a well-paying job, get married, buy a house, have kids), can that still be considered God's timing if He is allowing those things to happen? Maybe this can be better explored through personal experience. I'm 19 and I'm graduating from university next spring. That's about three years earlier than the average college student. If I had a choice, I probably would have just graduated at 22. However, it wasn't really my choice: my parents wanted me to graduate as soon as possible. While graduating early is a result of cultural pressure, the fact that everything worked out perfectly and I can graduate next spring perhaps reveals that this is also God's timing. What do you think?

 

[EliBeth]

Hello again, Court_11! 🤗

I may get some backlash on this, and everyone has a right to their opinion. But, personally, one problem I have with our culture is that women are expected to go to college and get a job just as men are. Call me old school and politically incorrect, but this expectation disheartens me. My Mother and maternal Grandmother were both homemakers. I aspire to be one as well.


For what it's worth, Abraham and Isaac both had children later in life (because their wives' wombs had been closed).

Culture's decrees can go out the window. I mean, sometimes they can be founded on wise principles, so don't throw the baby out with the bath water. For example, I do appreciate our cultural practice in the US of wearing wedding bands on the left ring finger. That way people know if you are married (i.e. taken) or not. 🙂 And, to me, it is a visual reminder of Hebrews 13:4- "Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge."

There have been some cultures in history, though, that sacrificed their children to (fake) gods. So cultural norms can be really, really wrong and evil. We do indeed have to look to the Bible and seek God for guidance in our own lives!

This may not be significant or truly relevant, but in Numbers 1 Israelite males 20 years of age and older were counted in the census and allowed to battle in war.

Just some random, scattered thoughts 😌

 

[Court_11]

Thank you both for your replies. Completely validating

 

[Lightskin]

Read 2 Timothy 4 and enjoy.

 

[Court_11]

Read 2 Timothy 4 and enjoy.

Thank you! Very helpful

 

[morefaithrequired]

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[ArtsieSteph]

Hm....well I think I can kinda argue both sides. It’s true that this society worships youth in beauty culture, keeping oneself feeling young as possible through risky and unhealthy lifestyles... Also the idea of keeping the “inner child” is far more prevalent now. Being ok with doing things like collecting toys, enjoying animation and videogames through ones entire life.

But at the same time...are we perhaps not letting ourselves grow up either? It’s one thing that has puzzled me in my own life as well. So many of us are in our 20’s yet don’t have the “adulting” skills that so many of our parents and grandparents learned in their teens or even elementary days. Common ideas of sharing, fairness, responsibility, all are thrown to the wayside.

So many kids without fathers because the parents had relations before marriage, and the man or mother even couldn’t handle being a parent.

It’s hard to balance I guess...

 

[Lenoir]

Hello again, Court_11! 🤗

I may get some backlash on this, and everyone has a right to their opinion. But, personally, one problem I have with our culture is that women are expected to go to college and get a job just as men are. Call me old school and politically incorrect, but this expectation disheartens me. My Mother and maternal Grandmother were both homemakers. I aspire to be one as well.


For what it's worth, Abraham and Isaac both had children later in life (because their wives' wombs had been closed).

Culture's decrees can go out the window. I mean, sometimes they can be founded on wise principles, so don't throw the baby out with the bath water. For example, I do appreciate our cultural practice in the US of wearing wedding bands on the left ring finger. That way people know if you are married (i.e. taken) or not. 🙂 And, to me, it is a visual reminder of Hebrews 13:4- "Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge."

There have been some cultures in history, though, that sacrificed their children to (fake) gods. So cultural norms can be really, really wrong and evil. We do indeed have to look to the Bible and seek God for guidance in our own lives!

This may not be significant or truly relevant, but in Numbers 1 Israelite males 20 years of age and older were counted in the census and allowed to battle in war.

Just some random, scattered thoughts 😌

I have recently began to see how the way this society is set up now has loosened the bonds of marriage and unity and even perverted natural relationships. I am a young woman yet I can never say I support “feminism” — everyone is in it for self now. Gender roles have been completely demonized to the point where people are actually raising their children to be “gender fluid”; along with anything else seen as too “traditional”.

The divorce rate is at an all time high because women feel we don’t need men. We are educated on our own, and we can work and make our own living. Just as men don’t need women. Cooking, cleaning and other chores are done perfectly by men now.

I still believe no one can do it all all alone. Those who don’t have partners have families to help them during that time. Man and woman are two parts of a whole. Woman was made for man to bond together becoming one body in Christ. We are made to have partners, and what partnership works without clear and established roles that are honored by each party? I feel that one can take care of themselves alone only through God’s grace if we should ever find ourselves in that predicament: without a partner and without a family.

I think its refreshing seeing a young woman who still find homemaking to be an acceptable job. I personally do not want to be a full-time homemaker, however I do still believe that is a big part of a woman’s purpose if she be a wife and mother.

 

[Princesse]

Children had greater responsibilities in biblical times than they do today. They were expected to assist with farm work, household chores, and caretaking for younger siblings. Most youths aren’t facing the same.

Paul addresses the conundrum succinctly in 1 Corinthians 13. He acknowledges the thoughts he had in his youth and setting them aside when he became a man. Entering a different season necessitated maturity and the same holds true today.

Children are dependent on parents for their welfare. They’re incapable of providing for themselves. Young adults have the benefit of life experiences they haven’t had. It’s disingenuous for them to function in a capacity they’ve left behind. It stunts their growth.

A prudent parent will prepare their child for adulthood through instruction and increasing measures of responsibility. Omissions can be compensated through lessons at a later date. There are numerous resources on the Internet and in libraries which cover cooking, housekeeping, personal finance, wellness, etc.