Varying degrees of condescension « Diary of a Teenage Atheist–My response
Varying degrees of condescension « Diary of a Teenage Atheist
Something to think about, eh? I’m only two years younger than TA, but I know exactly what she’s talking about. To me, I’m not sure when or if I’ll ever get married, I’m not sure I’ll have a kid, I’m not sure what’s in the future for me except more college spam (which I will rant about if I get more of it when I’m in Florida), and *gasp!* I don’t believe in Christianity. Every adults’ answers? “You’ll understand when you’re older.”
Let’s take a moment to ponder this, shall we? “You’ll understand when you’re older.” It’s normally said by someone in their mid-thirties or older, and occasionally some in their twenties (as TA pointed out with “Annie”). Normally the “kid” (TA and I don’t really count as kids anymore, folks) has challenged some sort of value or belief the adult holds, such as marriage, having kids, relationships, careers, and of course religion. I once told my mom I wasn’t sure if I wanted kids when I was older. The conversation went a little like this:
Mom: Why don’t you want kids?
Me: because they’re hard to take care of, and I’m not the best with little kids.
Mom: but being a mother is a great experience! Sure it’s hard, but it pays off!
Me: I’ll adopt then.
Mom: But what about having your own children?
Me: The idea of pregnancy scares me.
Mom: Well it does now, but you’re only 15 [I was 15 when this conversation took place]. When you’re older it won’t scare you.
Me: Why do I have to getpregnant anyway? I’d still rather adopt.
Mom: You’ll understand when you’re older.
Me: ….!??!
So… yeah. The idea of pregnancy does scare me. I know, I know, I’m only 16 (*rolls eyes*) but really, what isn’t scary about having another human being grow inside your body, that you will have to raise (or in some cases have the child adopted by someone else), and then if you’re a first-time parent you have little clue what you’re doing, and then there’s a chance that the kid will grow up all kinds of insane. Yeah… scary to me. But “I’ll understand when I’m older.” Yeah, sure. Oh-kay. (I’ll still adopt though.)
Then it’s the whole atheism thing. My mom likes to convince herself that my atheism is just a phase that’s lasted for nearly two years. Eh no. Sorry Mom, still an atheist, and most likely will be (unless by some strange circumstance I get into Wicca again…)
“are you still an atheist?” Yes, I am. This isn’t a phase. Stop acting like it is.
“Why should I believe in God?”
“You’ll understand when you’re older.”
grr.
My sense of humor really made me want to respond with “You’ll understand when you’re older.”
The truth is that I’m 38 and I know exactly what you mean. I’ve always hated ageist bullshit. Age gives you more life experience, it does not make you wiser. What you choose to do with your time can make you wiser, but there are plenty of ignorant morons of any age group. I had a friend years ago who was a total psycho-manipulative-bitch and she always talked about how so and so was so young. She acted like she had so much to teach EVERYONE. Yes, she ended her marriage after cheating on her husband with someone she met through playing Everquest. I’m sure she’ll understand what a moron she was when she’s older.
The new template looks great, by the way.
Thanks, Monolith! There is little that I hate more than ageism. I’m always being told that I’m very intelligent and mature for a 16 year old, but then I hear “you’re too young, you’ll understand later when you’re older” wtf? Way to screw with my head.
And this template is much more awesome than the last template.