Adolescents tend to gather in groups or cliques, and often express "us versus them" and "in versus out" thinking and behavior. Much of humanity is clustered in ethnic, racial, religious, and other groupings that we consider our "identity", and which separate us from one another, fostering an "us versus them" mentality in today's world.
Teenagers are known for being self-centered, given that key parts of their brain are still developing. As such they are often unaware of perspectives beyond their own. We often remain stuck in fixed mind-sets, undermining our ability to have understanding and empathy for others.
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Throughout time it has been common for teenagers to experience a time of testing and challenge a rite of passage - in order to be considered an adult. It appears that the human family is about to go through a time of profound initiation and challenge as we move from our adolescence to our young adulthood. This initiation can be predicted to take the form of a worldwide systems crisis as we hit an "ecological wall": the limits to growth and to our prevailing mindset.
The good news is that teenagers have a huge amount of untapped energy and idealism, a sense of hidden greatness that can burst forth. As a species, I think we also have untapped idealism and a sense of our hidden greatness. We just need a chance to develop these potentials as a human family.
In the years ahead we will be pressed to recognize that, if we are to make the transition to a workable future, we need to move beyond our own adolescent behavior in a world that requires adults.
Adulthood
What would be the priorities of a mature human at this point in time? Here are a few suggestions:
1) We will need to move from division to reconciliation, healing the schisms of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, politics, class and religion - and find ways to live and work together productively as a human family.
2) Mature human beings would acknowledge the deep wounds that have occurred throughout history and subsequently offer forms of acknowledgement and compensation to those who have experienced grave injustice and oppression. We would seek justice and authentic opportunity for those who have been economically marginalized. Given the probable realities of the years ahead, we would make it a priority to relocate the growing numbers of climate refugees and victims of political oppression.
3) We would move with alacrity from lifestyles of relentless consumption to a conscious stewardship of the Earth, fully recognizing that future generations will be profoundly affected by the decisions we make in the present. Adults would see clearly that, if we are to have a sustainable world available for future generations, the consumer-oriented lifestyle - centered around instant gratification and economic growth at all costs - is simply not workable.
4) We would grow beyond a human-centric attitude that is leading to the extinction of countless species of animals and plants, destroying the diversity on which our world depends. Rather we would embrace a life-centered perspective that focuses on ensuring that there is a resilient variety of species.
5) We would return to a sense of being--not apart from nature--but rather, an integral part of nature. This might be reflected in our design of cities, homes and common spaces, which in turn could foster stronger communities.
6) Human beings need to become informed about the rise and fall of civilizations throughout history. This awareness can provide us with a reminder of our vulnerability and a sense of humility, rather than an unconscious sense of immortality.
7) Rather than tolerating exploitative media we would demand accountability in serving the well-being of life, with programming that informs people about the actual conditions of the world and human possibility.
8) Rather than passively expecting "mom or dad" (government, business or religion) to fix things, we would be striving to create a politics of self-reliance at the local level. Increasing democracy at the local level, in turn, would likely strengthen new levels of civic engagement at the national and global levels.
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