• bidenicecream [none/use name]
    ·
    1 year ago

    I know this is an ancient anxiety

    Historically it isn't even that much of an anxiety. I know orientalists like to point out these age gaps when they're trying to be racist/colonial/islamophobic, but even in the west this wasn't that big of a deal until recently. I'm not sure what caused the sudden switch. Maybe a historian here can answer?

      • bluescreen [none/use name]
        ·
        1 year ago

        Other languages lack the entire idea of "teenager" as their numbers from 13 to 19 lack the suffix "teen".

        They're just seen as children. The whole "rebellious phase" thing is 100% cultural. Teens in other countries are respectful of their elders and eager to learn their culture so they can pass it on to their children when they have them.

        • usbgen4 [none/use name]
          ·
          1 year ago

          Interesting to think about how the decimal system and language influences us

          • 420blazeit69 [he/him]
            ·
            1 year ago

            I mean I belive you when you say you're an historian.

            But great advice overall, and :rat-salute-2: for recognizing what you specialize in and what you don't.

      • Dolores [love/loves]
        ·
        1 year ago

        I'd situate panics about The Kids broadly in the breakdown of Patriarchy via capitalism and progressive resistance but goddamn that's a colossal topic

        but to demonstrate it one need only compare right-wing focus & outrage between child abuse coming from traditional patriarchal hierarchies (church and family heads) versus their outrage toward [right-wing boogeyman du jour]