Odyssey Years
David Brooks has an interesting article in the OP-ED section of the New York Times today with the title "The Odyssey Years." Most of us are aware--at least baby boomers-- that the culture has changed in many ways, but none more that what happens to young people after graduating from college. for those of us born before 1964, markers that generally applied to successfully making the transition to adulthood included moving away from home, becoming financially independent, marrying and starting a family. In fact, 70 percent of young people had accomplished this by age 30 in 1960. However, the result were quite different in 2000: only 40 percent of those reaching 30 had attained these markers.
Brooks writes, "There used to be four common life phases: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Now, there are at least six: childhood, adolescence, odyssey, adulthood, active retirement and old age. Of the new ones, the least understood is odyssey, the decade of wandering that frequently occurs between adolescence and adulthood." While I was aware of this "odyssey" phenomenon was occurring, I hadn't realized that there was a name for it. Brooks writes that "this period of improvisation is a sensible response to modern conditions" and expects that it will only grow more pronounced. I guess I would be more inclined to say that it is an understandable response to modern times, but I wouldn't say that it is sensible. That's not to blame young people, mind you. It's more a commentary on the way that the culture is morphing, by a myriad of forces which conspire to create the environment in which some of the "fluidity" is destructive, I think. Any thoughts about the Odyssey Years?
Brooks writes, "There used to be four common life phases: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Now, there are at least six: childhood, adolescence, odyssey, adulthood, active retirement and old age. Of the new ones, the least understood is odyssey, the decade of wandering that frequently occurs between adolescence and adulthood." While I was aware of this "odyssey" phenomenon was occurring, I hadn't realized that there was a name for it. Brooks writes that "this period of improvisation is a sensible response to modern conditions" and expects that it will only grow more pronounced. I guess I would be more inclined to say that it is an understandable response to modern times, but I wouldn't say that it is sensible. That's not to blame young people, mind you. It's more a commentary on the way that the culture is morphing, by a myriad of forces which conspire to create the environment in which some of the "fluidity" is destructive, I think. Any thoughts about the Odyssey Years?
posted by UCC Medfield at 7:18 AM
1 Comments:
The odysey years are hard and anything the Church can do to walk w/ young poeple during that time is importnat. But precisely because they are on an "odysey" at this time, they aren't going to necessarily be in the Church. This is a crucial time because young poeple are still trying to figure out who they are and what htey want to be about. THey're making life-long decisions abt. faith, family, carreer, etc. I foudn that time to be btoh exciting and lonely. Unfortunately, the only place young poeple can go to is a bar. SOmeitmes I wish our church was located near a university so that we coudl have a more natural community of young pple. to daw upon and brign closer to Christ.
Post a Comment
<< Home