Since the 1960s, there’s been a noticeable trend in North America where adults tend to embrace a more childlike demeanor. Typically, one would expect adolescence to end around 17 or 18, but it seems the right to act childish now extends well into one’s 30s.
Take, for instance, Justin Trudeau, whose emotional responses during recent Canadian elections exemplified some of this immaturity.
This type of behavior has a fancy psychological term: “outer trajectory of control.”
To understand this further, a little background is necessary.
The Rise of the Cursed Child
It all began in the late 1990s, when a children’s fantasy book series captivated global audiences. Soon after, a blockbuster movie franchise emerged. Fans were eager to follow Harry Potter’s journey, often lining up with their parents at bookstores on release days.
It was heartening to see adults encouraging their kids to read, but the spell that J.K. Rowling cast seems to have kept many stuck in their youth long after they were supposed to move on from it.
As a result, some adults find themselves forever donning the robes of a Hogwarts student. What’s charming at age ten could easily turn into a burden by age thirty.
The House Divide
A common example of this phenomenon is the way many adults now align themselves with their Hogwarts “house.” Each student is sorted into a house based on their personality traits (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin). I distinctly recall noticing that many of my peers would proudly display “House Gryffindor” on social media.
Some even adorned their cars with Potter-themed stickers. Meanwhile, “grown-ups” hosted Harry Potter-themed parties, reliving their childhoods as if it were a modern day renaissance.
The “Mean” Response
The transition into adulthood feels so gradual that many seem unaware or dismiss it as a passing phase. I found this perplexing and slightly embarrassing, being part of a minority that felt adults proclaiming their loyalty to an old film series were acting strangely.
When I pointed this out, I often received backlash. It was almost as if I had called them childish; the responses felt reminiscent of playground squabbles.
Emotional Immaturity
This stagnation of emotional growth is alarming—not just in America but in much of the developed world. In the late 90s and early 2000s, many young adults remained at home longer, delaying huge life steps like earning a license or finding stable jobs.
Sure, the economy played a part, but the extent to which helicopter parenting took hold back in the ’90s certainly contributed. Kids were often deemed “too fragile” to navigate life’s challenges.
Today, we see individuals well into their 50s or 60s displaying behaviors more like teenagers from decades past. The recent Canadian elections highlighted this trend.
The Maple Leaf Flag
At the start of the year, it felt like Canadians were ready to move past Trudeau and his party’s policies.
Trudeau had lost ground, prompting speculation over his resignation. Yet, his possible successor, Mark Carney, failed to present a clear distinction from his predecessor. Many anticipated that Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives would win big.
Surprisingly, that didn’t occur. Voters seemingly chose to stick with the status quo. Why did they pass up the chance for change?
Fear of Trump
Many adults on social media seemed to suggest that their dislike for Donald Trump influenced their voting. Canadian voters, it appeared, aligned with their U.S. counterparts, unable to divert from a negative perception of the American president.
The fear he instilled—the thought that he might annex Canada—seemed to have a real impact on their decisions. This chart highlighted that for many voters over 60, dealing with Trump was a priority.
The Bogeyman Effect
A frustrating narrative emerged: “Trump’s presence swung this election.” Some even felt he destabilized politics across the border.
It’s quite ludicrous, really. Blaming a “bogeyman” for bad decisions points to a refusal to accept responsibility. This mindset reflects a concerning level of emotional regression.
It begs the question—when can these individuals return to the maturity expected of adulthood?
