Adults Quote by Midge Decter
“The hatred of the youth culture for adult society is not a disinterested judgement but a terror-ridden refusal to be hooked into the, if you will, ecological chain of breathing, growing, and dying. It is the demand, in other words, to remain children.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Conservatism, 1995
Youth reject adult responsibilities, fearing the natural cycle of life, preferring perpetual childhood.
In simple terms: Young people avoid adult duties, wanting to stay children.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address the fear behind resistance to adult roles.
Themes
responsibility
growth
generational conflict
psychology
culture
Mood
reflective
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education reform
- parenting
- career counseling
- mental health support
Key Concepts
existential fear
identity formation
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do some youths cling to childhood?
- How can society make adult roles more appealing?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize youth attitudes and ignore structural factors.
![“[University students] hated the hypocrisy of adult society, the rigidity of its political institutions, the impersonality of its bureaucracies. They sought to create a society that places human values before materialistic ones, that has a little less head and a little more heart, that is dominated…” quote by Muriel Beadle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e29/muriel-beadle-77125_adults_university-students-hated-the-hypocrisy_1025706.jpg)
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
