How Society is Pervasively Pushing for Adults to Infantilise Themselves
Why do we playfully refer to ourselves as “the girls” or “the boys?
In the heart of a bustling café or the convivial atmosphere of a pub, scenes abound where adults, well into their 30s, playfully refer to themselves as “the girls” or “the boys.” A peculiar everyday occurrence, yet it prompts us to ponder: Why this persistent attachment to youthful identifiers? The answer lies in our collective quest to stave off the inevitable realities of ageing, a phenomenon that extends beyond mere linguistic quirks.
The inclination to associate with youthfulness serves as a counterbalance to the encroaching spectre of ageing. It’s as if, by summoning the spirit of youth, we can briefly cloak ourselves in the invincibility that defined our younger years. Whether navigating the high-stakes world of corporate boardrooms or enjoying the camaraderie of social gatherings, referring to oneself and peers as “the boys” or “the girls” provides a linguistic bridge to a time when the horizons of potential seemed boundless.
In our contemporary world, being wise and a “grown-up” seems to take a back seat to staying young. This subtle yet pervasive push for adults to embrace a form of self-infantilisation transcends language, infiltrating cultural and commercial spaces. Advertisements, media portrayals, and evolving social norms collectively champion teenage qualities and behaviours, sometimes at the expense of embracing mature adulthood and its associated responsibilities.
A conspicuous battleground against any hint of ageing emerges, with billions of dollars invested in the pursuit of a technological fountain of eternal youth. The cultural spotlight on prodigious achievements by individuals under 30 we call the 30 under 30 lists, and our fascination with college-student billionaires contributes to this narrative. The allure of being young intertwines with notions of beauty, success, and relevance, fuelling an irresistible urge to cling to the vestiges of youth.
But here’s the thing — getting older doesn’t mean we have to abandon who we are. At thirty-something, the need isn’t for “girl time” but for quality time. You don’t need to pretend you are not seeing more candles on your (generally ice cream) birthday cake each year to keep that spark of joy alive. Growing older is a beautiful adventure laden with stories of the life you’ve lived and the things you have seen. Each wrinkle tells a story!
Let’s challenge the pervasive push for self-infantilisation. Let’s embrace the full spectrum of adulthood, with its wisdom, maturity, and rich experiences, which enables us to transcend societal expectations and craft narratives that celebrate the beauty of every stage of life. In doing so, we reclaim the agency to define ourselves beyond the limitations imposed by age-centric norms.
