I'm Adult Aren't I' Beyond the Box with Geoffrey Ben-Nathan.

A unique title and a unique perspective. Anthropologists! What can we learn from them? 'A hell of a lot!' says Geoffrey Ben-Nathan, an Anthropology Alum from SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies).

'I'm Adult Aren't I' is a fascinating diagnosis of troubled teens and young adults in Western Society (UK) which also provides solutions to the problem. However, it interestingly views the problems/solutions through the lens of anthropology.

Being an adult is not easy, but transitioning into being one is not necessarily any easier. Geoffrey identifies common troubles that young people/adults find themselves in such as feeling social disillusionment, feeling urges to rebel or resist and a predisposition for delinquency. He notes that of course many transition with no huge problems but yet significant numbers still find immense trouble in 'growing up'.

Geoffrey's main assertion in the book is that what is missing is a rite of passage, or rather a Nationalised Mandatory Rite of Passage system which formalises a transition into and towards adulthood. Indeed, cause of the problem being a lack of formalised status gained through an 'achieved' or 'earned' rite.

One could say rather becoming the age young people need opportunity to 'Come of Age'!

Geoffrey expands and unpacks this very interesting, unique and impactful subject in the interview below. The interview is split into two parts:

Part 1

https://youtu.be/gWCJFapt4DU?si=VCIUza6SuRxjNGNS

Part 2

https://youtu.be/KkIfudTkEcE?si=oBMaHZGYMuN-k6a8

Do you agree with Geoffrey? Maybe you are a young person with your own personal views, get in touch with me, leave a comment on the channel or write to me on the ideas page.