Being An Adult Essay, Research Paper
What does if mean to become an adult? There are many issues that could be
brought up and discussed when asked this question. However, only a few important
issues come to mind. For instance, with adulthood come many new responsibilities.
Furthermore, many will be initiating college, while others may be starting families,
beginning new jobs, or simply going through tribulations.
When we consider works such as From the House of Yemanja, by Audre
Lorde and Girl, by Jamaica Kincaid, it is clear that writers not only write about
general concerns, but also about what affects them directly as they grow up.
For example, Audre Lorde s short poem From the House of Yemanja, showcases a
daughter who needs her mother s help in a desperate time of need. However, her mother
is not around to help relieve her pain. She has no brothers to turn too and she doesn t get
along with any of her sisters. It is sad to think about, but there are many families that
deal with this sort of problem day in and day out. Adulthood is a major step in every
one s life and it is important to remember that having someone to talk to is very
important.
The short story Girl, by Jamaica Kincaid is another work that describes the
troubles with becoming an adult. Throughout the story, a young lady sits and listens
to her mother babble on and on about everything. The mother is so concerned about her
daughter that whenever the young lady tries to make a comment or answer her mother s
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questions, her mother simply ignores her. For instance, is it true that you sing benna in
Sunday school?; always eat your food in such a way that it won t turn someone else s
stomach; on Sundays try to walk like a lady and not the slut you are so bent on becoming;
don t sing benna in Sunday school; you mustn t speak to wharf-rat boys, not even to give
directions; don t eat fruits on the street-flies will follow you; but I don t sing benna on
Sundays at all and never in Sunday school (Literature and Society 72).
Parents often ignore their kids when they are lecturing them because they
want to prove their points without being interrupted. Another reason is because they
won t be able to relate or connect to anything their child says. However, it s very
important that parents either get help or learn to deal with problems such as these. If they
don t their child may rebel, which can often lead to additional problems in the future.
Besides dealing with parents young adults must decide whether to begin college
or go directly to work after high school. Those who choose to work tend to start families
earlier than those who go to college. These people not only have to fulfill the role of
being a good parent, they must provide food on the table and clothes for their children.
This takes a lot of hard word and dedication. This may be the hardest part of one s life,
but it is well worth it in the long run.
Although some may choose to work and start a family, many go to college as
well. An increasing number of people are selecting this route because college has
become more affordable due to financial aid and student loans. It all up to the
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individual to get the best education he or she can get. The more effort one puts in, the
better the education will be. One can make college easy or hard. It all depends on what
you put into it and how well you manage your time. Many people will be finding new
friends to hang out with. Some of these friends will most likely want to party all the
time. However, it s important to remember that school comes first and in order to
succeed you must prioritize your activities. This is what being an adult is all about. You
must act responsibly and do what it takes to prosper.
In conclusion, growing up is not easy. Being an adult means taking on new
responsibilities that we never even imagined. Whether we go to school or work and start
a family, we must make important decisions that may affect us for the rest of our lives.
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