For this post, I talked to my parents and grandparents because of the generations they represent to get an idea of what it was like when they were 20. I found that compared to 20 years old today, they came from a society with much stricter expectations. My parents and grandparents note that when they were younger, social activities were much more family oriented. They came from large households, so it was more likely that you would play with your siblings than go hang out with friends. It was also inappropriate for unmarried women to be seen with a man without her parent’s permission. The male had to have intentions of marriage before correspondence was deemed appropriate. They also noted that children’s relationships with parents are much closer today. I consider myself pretty close with my parents and we laugh and make fun of each other. My parents note that it would have been rude to do such things with their parents. It was not appropriate for children to interact with their parents as if they were with their friends. My grandparents note that they had the strictest relationship with their parents. It was one out of a high regard for respect, so a certain protocol was expected.
My dad was the oldest male in his family, so as a 20-year-old he was fit enough to help out. He was expected to help his mom with the business and look after his brothers and sisters, all the while attending college. When my mom was 20, there was a lot of turmoil in her country, so she did not get to finish school. Rather, as the second oldest, she helped her mom keep the household running and looked after her younger brothers and sisters. When my grandfather was 20, he had already joined the army. This was the norm during his time as men typically entered some sort of law enforcement position. He was already married at this age and expected to provide for his wife. My grandmother already had two children by the time she was 20 because she married young. She notes that women of her time period were not expected to go to school and get educated. Instead, they married young, had kids, and kept the household running for the husband.
I can see that being a 20 year-old, 20 or 40 years ago is a lot different than today. My parents expect me to go to school and finish my education. As the oldest in my family, my parents expect that I help out when I can, but that school should be my number one priority. I do not have to worry about hanging out with friends or taking care of my little brother. There seems to be a lot more leniency in what is expected from someone at my age.
My dad was the oldest male in his family, so as a 20-year-old he was fit enough to help out. He was expected to help his mom with the business and look after his brothers and sisters, all the while attending college. When my mom was 20, there was a lot of turmoil in her country, so she did not get to finish school. Rather, as the second oldest, she helped her mom keep the household running and looked after her younger brothers and sisters. When my grandfather was 20, he had already joined the army. This was the norm during his time as men typically entered some sort of law enforcement position. He was already married at this age and expected to provide for his wife. My grandmother already had two children by the time she was 20 because she married young. She notes that women of her time period were not expected to go to school and get educated. Instead, they married young, had kids, and kept the household running for the husband.
I can see that being a 20 year-old, 20 or 40 years ago is a lot different than today. My parents expect me to go to school and finish my education. As the oldest in my family, my parents expect that I help out when I can, but that school should be my number one priority. I do not have to worry about hanging out with friends or taking care of my little brother. There seems to be a lot more leniency in what is expected from someone at my age.
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