... human beings now take longer to reach mental maturity — and many never do so at all.Hmmm.... so is he saying that school is holding us back? Does this explain why I love cartoons, video games and farting? Were Cro-mags and Neanderthals more mature than me? (no doubt!)
Dr. Charlton believes this is an accidental by-product of formal education that lasts well into the twenties. "Formal education requires a child-like stance of receptivity," which "counteracts the attainment of psychological maturity" that would normally occur in the late teens or early twenties. He notes that "academics, teachers, scientists, and many other professionals are often strikingly immature."
Earlier human societies, such as hunter-gatherers, were more stable and thus adulthood was attained in the teen years. Now, however, with rapid social change and less reliance on physical strength, maturity is more often postponed...
Thus [Charlton] says, "in an important psychological sense, some modern people never actually become adults...
... he added that modern people "lack a profundity of character which seemed commoner in the past."
Actually, if I read into this way too much, George Bush's "No Child Left Behind" act is working! Everyone is a child. Sweet. Credit where credit is due.
Interestingly, while I write this, there's an interesting blog post on the times right now about whether or not rewarding children is helpful. (Not really, apparently). And now for executive pay...
Thus the late, respected, well-known author, Michael Crichton, was perhaps an unwitting advocate for unschoolers. Who knew?
Watch out for those dinosaurs.
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