Abstract
[Newt Gingrich] argues that adolescence is a socially constructed phase of life that has outlived its original purpose. Once designed to protect children from dangerous work when the U.S. economy was industrializing, it is now, according to Gingrich, a largely useless phase that delays teens getting on with their careers or college, and coddles them with substitute leisure activities such as drugs, hip hop, phony service opportunities and teen sex. Gingrich might be rightfully concerned about the leisurely pace that takes most American youths through adolescence. But ask the parents of teenagers, and they are more likely to lament how incredibly over-programmed their kids are. Gingrich's proposals need close scrutiny. I am cautiously in favor of raising the speed limit on the road through youth, if what we want to accomplish during these years can be done in a wise and effective manner. I don't share the Gingrich idea that liberals, schools and teachers' unions reflect some sort of conspiracy to deprive youth of healthy youth and education experiences by providing redundant jobs for adults who work in these institutions and make-work youth experiences for the kids. His proposals to pay youths to start their adult lives at age 16 will just carry more youthful struggles into the work force and college. Compressing the time for adolescent development (and experimentation) will just push drugs, sex and rock and roll into colleges and employment settings.