Culture | RIP adulthood

Is Western culture stopping people from growing up?

Kidults are all around you

An illustration of three adults in business attire standing on a subway train, holding onto overhead handrails. Despite being adults, they are depicted in a childlike manner with pacifiers in their mouths and holding toys. The person on the left holds a gr
Illustration: Joanne Joo

An older boss was correcting a younger female employee. “There is no P in ‘hamster’,” said the boss. But “that’s how I spell it,” the 20-something objected. The boss suggested they consult a dictionary. The employee called her mother, put her on speakerphone and tearfully insisted that she tell her boss not to be so mean.

From the August 24th 2024 edition

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