I’ve been intrigued and worried about the “new adolescence” that is becoming more entrenched in our society. This new adolescence is basically the extension of the teen years well into the 20′s and is marked by a refusal to become a responsible adult. These new “teenagers” live with their parents longer and their motivation revolves around their own personal entertainment. This is a challenge especially for Pastor’s and Christian Parents for the Bible doesn’t offer this extended adolescence as a viable option (there’s not really a case for what we now consider “normal” adolescence). Today Al Mohler connects two other shifts with this new adolescence: the delay of marriage and the decline in church attendance. He ends his thoughts with this observation on:
This [the delay of marriage] goes hand in hand with the fact that the extension of adolescence comes with vast and often unnoticed effects. Adulthood is meant for adult responsibilities, and for the vast majority of young people that will mean marriage and parenthood. The extension of adolescence into the twenties (maybe now even the thirties) is highly correlated with the rise of secularism and with lower rates of church attendance.
This is something that Christian parents (and future Christian Parents) need to strongly consider as they raise their children to become godly men and women instead of selfish post-adolescent adolescents.
So true! It is amazing to think that back in Biblical times, a boy became an adult around age 12….now personal responsibility is not taken until much later.