The Social Gap Between Child and Adult

Posted in DemEd in Real LifePhilosophy of Education on Mar 15, 2010 - 01:13 PM

This past week, there was a Hawaiian Music Festival at Tempe Town Lake, not far from my neighborhood. I did not attend, but a good friend of mine checked it out before coming over to my house for a visit. He said it was a fun time with plenty of ukuleles to play and good music all around. But when he got to the front of the line of the 'Make Your Own Hawaiian Lei' booth, the staff told him that adults were not allowed to make a lei, that the artful activity was for kids only.

Was he heartbroken over it? Nah... but he was pretty bummed out. He had never made a lei before, and here was a great opportunity to broaden his horizons, but he couldn't participate...apparently, he's too old for that. How discouraging, right? Here you've got all these kids, gleefully working away at their beautiful souvenirs, having a super-fun time on a border-of-springtime day, and even if you want to have fun with them, or on your own, it's not gonna happen if you're over a certain age.

Why is that?

Where in time did we as people guide ourselves to live by standards that separate children and adults by the kinds of fun they have or activities they do? Shouldn't it be the case that, if somebody thinks it would be fun to make a lei at a Hawaiian festival booth, they are encouraged to do so?

My small example draws attention to a huge disconnect in our society. Children are children and do things appropriate for their age, and adults are adults that do things appropriate for their age. Each age class has a wide array of acceptable things one can do, games one can play, songs one can sing, etc. And to stray too far from the list of appropriate things one can do as an adult or child is, or can be, viewed as inappropriate, or even shunned, by others in society. But we've accepted that people of different race, sex, creed, and stature are just as entitled to the same opportunities as the next person. Why are we still hung up on some sort of segregation of children and adult?

There are certain barriers we place on children for great reason, such as using great precaution while a two year old examines a cutting knife, or just not allowing them to discover such a sharp object at an early and eager to experiment age. But is there really a need to discourage adults from participating in activities that children generally and usually enjoy? It seems like a healthy and good thing for adults to partake in childish games and activities. Doing such things might really inspire some of the inner aspects of a human to come back out from being tucked away since childhood.

But right now, it is very common for there to be child-only activities, and likewise, adult-only activities. However, I feel that there is a need, in order for us to progress as coexisting people, to accept or discover that the child in every person does not die at any specific age, but lives on as a silent voice in many adults, and should be heard and considered so as to guide the actions we as adults take in life. And likewise, we ought to involve, or share with, young people in the adult-oriented activities we do that children may take interest in. There is no need to ever force anyone to do anything, just as there is no need to prevent others from doing certain activities where no potential for harm or badness is present. That being said, why not allow all members of society to participate in those activities which they find intriguing if the opportunity arises?

One of the most beautiful and stunning aspects of democratic education is the parallel drawn between adult and child. We are both people first, and are learning throughout the span of our entire lives. For that reason, it makes little sense, to me, to partition off certain activities in life for only certain crowds. I can only speak for myself, but I want my realm of discovery and experience to have as many options and outlets as possible. If that means cutting paper snowflakes with three toddlers and seven adults at Christmas time, then bring it on. There is no reason for me not to engage in what might be viewed as a childish art project if I want to.

Perhaps at the Hawaiian Music Festival, resources for making leis were low, hence the activity was only for children. But I think it's unfair to offer it only to kids if it's safe and entertaining for adults to make them, too. And considering the current format of our society, I somewhat doubt that many adults would have made leis anyhow.

We can include children in the things we do as adults. And we can participate in the things kids do as children. If we continue to uphold a sort of child/adult segregation, then the example we put up for display will remain the same, that example being that children are children, and adults are adults, and adults and children are different. But we ought to strive for our example to be, people are people, and enjoy doing things together. Life is all about experience. Some of my favorite memories are from experiences I've had with kids, and I wouldn't doubt that some of those kids I have formed favorable memories with also have some favorite memories that they've made with me.

I know that if I am ever holding a booth that would commonly be open for children's enjoyment, and I see an adult there, I'm going to ask them if they would like to participate, too. And I bet I will get quite a few affirmative answers. I mean, we're all living on the same earth...Why not share our time cooperatively with as many others earthlings as we can? I sure hope it's not because we are afraid of learning something new.

Tags for this entry:
games, joy of learning, childhood, adulthood, age-appropriate learning

Comment using your Facebook account: