A Tantrum By Any Other Name
Have you noticed there aren't any "brats" around anymore? In the name of linguistic purification, or rather linguistic sterilization, which as always reflects generalized cultural hiccups, kids don't have "tantrums" nowadays either. Both terms suggest a deep insensitivity to the acute pathology called "childhood," which lasts in many cases for decades. Actually, we all have tantrums all the time. A tantrum is a way of saying "I want what I want and I want it now, and I don't want to have to do anything to get it." Once we pass age 12 tantrums are replaced by more socially acceptable behavior such as drug use and anorexia, but they're still just tantrums. As we get older these are replaced by socially acceptable adult tantrums like obesity, alcoholism, road rage, and spousal abuse, which are manifestations of the more socially acceptable term "acting out." Why don't we all just grow up?
posted by John M Crowther @ 7:52 AM
4 Comments:
Well, my computer would not let me on the site this morning, however, it has graciously agreed to allow it now.
See that Jeremy is driving his mother crazy again. Poor woman, love Jeremy's expression and the look of bemusement on mother's face. Jeremy strikes a funny again. Good one, John C.
I never throw temper tantrums, I throw hizzie fits. More adult, says she quite earnestly.
Received an email from a friend today who has sent in her resignation as an adult, effective as of today. Filled out the form and going to have it recorded at city hall. She is going back to the 8 yr. old stage of life. Great trick if you can pull it off, let me know, says I back in reply. Thinking of joining her club, sound like more fun.
Thanks, Lee, for the kind words and the story. There's a cartoon in there somewhere, I think.
Good one John... :-) Makes me wonder whatever happened to personal responsibility. Now that 30 is the new 20 and 60 is the new 40...and helicopter kids are becoming an endemic species...I'd just be happy if 50 could be the new 18 and I could go back and do it all again...only this time get it right! LOL Hmmm...maybe I'd throw the odd tantrum for effect!? LOL
Thanks, Jean. I appreciate your participation here. We can be 18 or 19 again. We just have to give our age in Celsius. (see cartoon in the archives from Nov. 6)
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