Delayed Maturity

Sociologists are observing an interesting phenomenon in the present generation of young adults. In large numbers, young adults seem to be postponing personal independence and the exercise of what generally would be termed “adult” responsibility. Statistically, evidence points to extended educational processes (college and graduate school), delayed marriage (after school), and economic factors (inability to find stable employment), and even returning to live with parents (after college and/or initial employment).
Older generations may ask, “What gives?” Have we created a generation that is unable to accept responsible adult decision-making or are other factors in play? Some have suggested biological factors may be involved, associated with delayed brain development. Recent studies show that some adults may not have fully “connected” brains until mid to late 20’s or even early 30’s. Part of the problem may be in the way we use our brains or the way we don’t, for those periods.
Electronic visual stimuli in large quantities are components of most adults’ experiences beginning with television in the 1950’s. Since that time, the rate of exposure to media and information conveyed audibly and visually has grown exponentially. Clearly, we are altering the patterns by which our brains operate for the encoding of memory and in the kinds of recall and thinking developed.
Educators point to underdeveloped writing skills and limited critical thinking on the part of many older adolescents and college aged students.. If indeed, brain functions are detained from making critical links at once “normal stages” there would seem to be suggested that some patterns are missing in the current methodologies for both educating and implementing responsible decision-making.
Additional experience factors, or rather, the lack thereof, could be linked to social development delays. Some suggest that younger adults have been handicapped by the unwillingness of older generations to allow for their participation in any number of areas. The sheer age and experience factors involved in new technology are the one area where younger faces seem to have the advantage. At the same time, measures of responsibility in arenas such as community leadership and family life, religious practice and social settings, seems to be postponed or faltering.
A local bartender describes his Friday night crowd, largely young adults, as his babysitting night. He refers to poor decision-making about alcohol use and poor indicators of restraint or control regarding personal safety, health, or the welfare of others. A missing sense of compassion and a “failure to have personal boundaries” are frequent observations. Underdeveloped brains may be the cause of higher risk taking behaviors, not to be ignored by military recruiters of this age pool.
How we respond to these real circumstances among many young adults today will require churches to engage them in more intelligent ways. We must not ignore the technical side of communication as a key approach for reaching this generation. We must also be patient about making quick judgements regarding “not being responsible.” If social and biological factors are delaying the maturation of present young adults, they will simply need more time. And with that time, the church should be eager to utilize every option to enable young adults to exercise their social development in a safe and rewarding community. Mistakes will be a part of growing and learning and should be accepted as a reality for every generation’s maturing process, but the church needs young adults and their enthusiasm and vigor and growing and developing skills.
The church likewise may well supply the missing links. When family is fractured, the church provides a larger family of caring persons. When work is difficult or hard to find, the church can provide avenues for useful engagement with those who may become resources and mentors for learning, growth, and maturity. When social skills are weak, the church can provide a safe place to develop those sharing skills and public capacities. When educational gaps exist, the church can become an avenue for addressing those needs. Whenever possible the church should be crossing the generational divides to engage and provide healthy concepts of personal and community responsibility and capacity for service.
The “young” generation is always separated from its predecessors in some way. At the same time, each generation does “come into its own” in time. Do what you can to prepare those who follow you.