Kids Climbing Tree/flickr

Maturity: Maturity is a psychological term used to indicate how a person responds to the circumstances or environment in an appropriate manner. This response is generally learned rather than instinctive, and is not determined by one’s age. Maturity also encompasses being aware of the correct time and place to behave and knowing when to act appropriately, according to the situation and the culture of the society one lives in.[1]

   “We have just witnessed an historic event,” he said.
   “What do you mean?”
   “North American civilization’s return to the Neolithic Age.” “I don’t think it’s funny,” Lib said. “I didn’t like the way you spoke to Ben Franklin. It was brutal.”
   “In the Neolithic,” Randy said, “a boy either grows up fast or he doesn’t grow up at all.” Alas, Babylon

In nearly every civilization there was some ritual or task or series of tasks a young boy had to perform before entering adulthood and the benefits and responsibilities that went with it.  Most of the Native American tribes had them. Even now there are still societies that have these traditions, though mostly ceremonial.  But even before that, a young boy was to accompany the men on their hunting and food gathering and was taught the skills necessary as well as the life lessons.  Young girls were no different in that they were expected to learn the tasks necessary as well. Both given more and more responsibility.

When our societies were more agrarian, the children were expected to help and work on the farms and ranches. In none of these situations were they protected from the – sometimes cruel – realities of life. But taught how to deal with each one as they grew.  The young were expected through all of this to learn responsibility and gain emotional strength and courage as well as humility and compassion, learn what personal sacrifice really means. That everyone has a part and task to perform and each one is important to the group as a whole regardless of what they do.

And from WWII on compulsory military service also performed some of this. Instilling group effort and humility and responsibility. Only the very rich and well connected got out of the draft. Oh you could get a student deferment if you were in college but that only lasted while you were in college.

But all these things built character and personality and if you survived, wisdom and experience.

We have managed over time to remove a good deal of this. Most young people have never experienced the death of a sibling or close friend from a childhood disease or some other reason.   Or witness the effects of war or some other catastrophe.  Amuse themselves without some tech toy or another.   We have generations now that have been coddled and protected and pampered out of life.

These are not things you can acquire from books of the internet or school rooms. There is no university that offers a degree life. Each one has to experience life them selves.

Is it any wonder that those who we have for leaders and representatives are lacking in some -if not most – of these qualities ? After all they come from the general population  and the general population are also lacking.

How did we survive ?