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FEBRUARY 4, 2004 at 1:18 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: Guardian Observer
Being obsessed with things like Harry Potter is becoming the new trend for people who are determined not to grow up.
The Observer reports
that books like Potter and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials have helped double the number of adults reading children's books.
They drive cars that appeal to the child in them - the chunky, toy-like Audi TT sports car or the girlie new VW Beetle complete with vase and plastic flower. They obsess over PlayStation2, go on holiday to Ibiza, tuck a copy of Heat! inside their Financial Times, have given up skiing for snowboarding and enjoy reading Harry Potter and listening to Coldplay and Radiohead as much as their children.
But the inverse can also be said: While some adults crave to satisfy their inner-child, children today are acting a lot older:
Step into the world of the tweenager. Not for him or her the frivolities of youth. These savvy youngsters aspire to the grown-up lifestyle of the ultimate tweenagers, US idols Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who run a multi-billion pound tween business selling high fashion, grooming, magazines, mobile phones, and computers to eager 11-19-year-olds.
When they move out of their 'tweens', these driven youngsters get jobs sooner and often work harder than their parents.
Adults, be sure to read the rest of The Observer's fascinating article. It even includes a list of things to do if you're a kidult. Another term that provokes a chuckle is rejuveniles, found in this article from Intelligent Enterprise Magazine, which rounds up several other reports on this subject.
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Wizard
Points: 954
DaUltimateHP&SportsWiz says:
I've read His Dark Materials books, and they are adult reading level, certainly not at the level of kids. But all this is so true to the world today. And Mary-Kate and Ashley I think are worth more than any teenagers ever.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 1:24 PM EST
Witch
Points: 910
BlueFlame says:
That's pretty funny... amusing actually.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 1:26 PM EST
Pesky Pixie Presidente
Points: 4359
Firebolt_909 says:
That doens't sound so bad. i know that everybody doeesn't want to grow old, or get any older, but they better not start acting like babies during a crisis. this could be a good thing or a bad thing.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 1:27 PM EST
Witch
Points: 910
BlueFlame says:
Yeah I agree DaUltimateHPand SportsWiz, I read those books too and they aren't really kiddish in my opinion.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 1:29 PM EST
Death Eater
Points: 6201
Voldemort's Heir says:
I don't know if it's just about satisfying your inner child. While it probably is partly that, I think it's also because the HP series is just a great, well told story.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 1:36 PM EST
Animagus
Points: 19544
Sirius-Ella says:
Haha, ok..what an intersting post. I'd have to say that alot of Adults have the problem of not keep the "child within". I think I heard from some "Bible bopper" that Adults that don't keep a child within is somewhat a sin..but don't flame me..I couldve misheard ;)
Cheers,
-sirius-ella-
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 1:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1569
Hermy05 says:
I never thought of myself as a rejuvenile or kidult. Kinda of like that instead of a baby boomer (just made the cut off for that label).
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 1:54 PM EST
Marauder
Points: 3954
jade says:
That is quite funny but it is the society we live in i suppose!!
Its true everyone has the child within!!!
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:02 PM EST
Chief Magic Investigator
Points: 4910
EagleOwl says:
Uggh- I hate that term (adulescent) almost as much as Generation X. What marketing genius came up with this one? "Kidult", "rejuvenile" "tweenager"- it's all about cramming people into little boxes and slapping labels on them to sell them stuff. Whatever. It all just leaves a bad taste for me. Ya know, maybe some people just like to READ GOOD BOOKS.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:04 PM EST
Witch
Points: 916
SnapesSlave says:
Whats wrong with holding onto a shred of your youth as long as you can still live up to your responsibilities? I have 3 kids, a part time job, a husband, a mortgage, and I'm a full time student. But yet I still find the time to watch my Disney movies, obsess over Harry Potter, and attend all sorts of summer time concerts, while still maintaining a household? I don't see the problem!
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 908
ICEMICE says:
Were it not for these "kidults" and "rejuveniles" the phenomenon that is Harry Potter wouldnt have reached fever pitch had it only been contained within the "kid" circles. All those get togethers, parties , conferrences, meetings of HP fans, even the seemingly unending "shipping" fandom wouldnt have been possibly created, organized and advertized by mere children of tender age, now would it? The curiosity about Harry Potter and everything about him and the author wouldnt have reached worldwide readership had it been just the kids reading in the confines of their room now would it? I highly doubt they even have varied access to the internet for that matter, without proper parental guidance. And huge percentage of these would certainly fall within the 'kidults" category now wouldnt they?
So hooray for kidults..though that sounds like somethng you would chuck in the bin after a hearty meal, doesnt it. Just kidding.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:10 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2644
Orlando's Obsession! says:
hmmmm i SO DO NOT like his dark meritals!!! they are rubbish! well to bad that at home all the adults think im stupid by reading harry potter! is that said or is that sad? -sniffs-
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:12 PM EST
Points: 7828
Rococoed says:
This is a phrase posted by Lightheart a while ago:
"Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is entirely optional."
I know of several adults who have read the Potter books, depsite their "children's" status. I personally think all adults should not be afraid to show their inner child. ^_^
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:14 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1105
Sierradragon says:
This is not a bad trend.
I am not really into the twins but I must admit that the article is right about them and their jobs.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:22 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23488
KT Lady says:
I agree about Mary Kate and Ashley..but I dont like the term tweenagers for some reason. But yeah, Its so great how Harry Potter is spanning the generation gaps like it is...i love it!
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:33 PM EST
Crookshanks Caretaker
Points: 3837
hermionefan1 says:
Thats so true about MK & A Olsen, and i say power to the "kidults". I think adults should be in touch with there inner child, its healthy. If you are an adult like 24/7 then you might eventually go insane, ha ha.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:48 PM EST
Witch
Points: 552
Gir Vasquez says:
Kids really are acting older now. I've been doing community service at an elemenery school and the kids are way different then what they were years ago. I blaim it all on the Spice Girls.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1908
Opera Ghost says:
Duh...the HP books didn't come out until I was already in my 30's....what should I do, NOT read a good book because I am too old, when it's not even my fault? I would have read HP when I was 12, if it had been around then. I read 'Gone With the Wind' and 'The Exorcist' at 12, not exactly kid stories. I don't see what age has to do with reading a good book. I am not into any of the other things they mention in the article...seems to me like they are comparing apples to oranges. And the woman on the scooter probably can't even read-sounds like a dippy chick to me!
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 2:57 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2119
hpchik898 says:
I never thought I'd say this but screw Harry Potter. HIS DARK METERIALS RULE!!! and I don't need these I'm already 13
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 3:04 PM EST
Points: 790
M. Sebastian says:
As an adult I am getting really tired of being categorized because I enjoy reading, listening to, and see the films of Harry Potter. I am not an adultescent. The only thing that would mark me as one is the Harry Potter connection. I also enjoyed His Dark Materials and found them really not to be children's books. I also read adult books. Maybe I just like to read. I don't like adolescent music, don't say "cool" constantly, and am not trying to get in touch with my "inner child". I just like a good read. Please all you psychologists - or whoever is coming up with all these theories to see themselves in print -- just let us be individuals with individual likes and dislikes -- one of the likes being Harry Potter's adventures.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 3:22 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 372
//cleo\\ says:
I totally understand what they mean by kids are acting older now! The kids at my old elementary school are much ruder and they have absolutely no respect for anyone -.-! The new generation is completely different from mine...^_^
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 3:31 PM EST
Werewolf
(Moderator)
Points: 5479
MoonyDawn says:
hahaha! I like the term kidult!! Thats funny, I have never heard that before.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 3:54 PM EST
Heir of Slytherin
Points: 5499
Spazzingduck says:
His Dark Materials is probably not a children's book. It was in the children's section of my library, but when I read it I was surprised. In my opinion it was a lot darker than Harry Potter.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 3:54 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
Lerah99 says:
I have no problem admiting I'm a big goofy kid at heart. Too many people lose sight of how much fun life can be.
I spent several of my child and teen years too somber and serious. I was Hermione all through school, minus the cool adventures.
Now that I'm in college and a "respectable" 23 years of age, I have learned to have a very important thing: You only live once, and it is for a limited period of time.
Don't get me wrong. I still work my full time job and pay my way through school. I make sure my mother's morgage is paid, and I'm helping my brother get into his own apartment.
I'm not about forgeting responsibility, but everyone should allow their inner child to run free on occasion.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 3:58 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1987
tigerlili_08 says:
Im a teen and I still have an excuse!(Phew!)
I dont want to grow up, but its fun that the
'kidults' are doing that!hehehe.
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 4:12 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 388
Persephanyi says:
Haha totally me and my friends are total tweens. Were all in our twenties and still dress up collect toys and go to conventions just to find the perfect toy or costume. Its funny some of my friends haven't gotten into the potter series yet course im working on that.
hehe
Slytherin rules
Posted Feb 4, 2004 at 4:30 PM EST
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