The Problem With an Age-Old Question

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

That's a question that's echoed inside most children's heads from the time they were toddlers. And of course, we all know the generic answers: a firefighter, doctor, astronaut, the list goes on and on.

While this is a great conversation starter, I do have a big problem with this question.

Is this question feeding society's low expectations?

I'm a strong believer in the Rebelution movement—and while geared toward teens rebelling against low expectations placed upon them by society, this applies to pretty much anyone in life.

The principles are simple: Doing good works for Christ. Serving Him with our lives—yes, even as teens.

But as rebelutionaries, we're constantly fighting against society's low expectations, the stereotypes of teens nowadays that tell us that what we're doing ISN'T normal. That the teen years should be spent having fun, a "vacation" from the real responsibilities of life.

And that simply isn't true.

But the real question is, is this question feeding society's low expectations? Is it showing us—as children and teens growing up in a broken world—that you have to WAIT to grow up and what we're passionate about?

What do you want to be WHEN you grow up?

The latter four words bother me the most about the question. WHEN you grow up.

I don't know if that bothered anyone else, but when I was younger, I felt almost unestimated by this question. Like I had to wait to "grow up"—I still don't know what that age refers to, haha—to do anything with my life or do the thing I love the most. Is that pretty much all life is, waiting until you "grow up" to do great things? I wondered.

1 Timothy 4:12 states (bolded words mine):

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, and in purity."

Don't let anyone tell you that you have to reach a certain age in order to do what God's calling you to do. Be an example. Step out in faith—fueled by Christ—and do hard things.

Life is not a game where we sit around and

wait to "grow up."

And yes, while it's true that we might have more certainty and maturity when we're older, to be able to know what we're truly passionate about in life—life is not a waiting game. Life is not about waiting around until you're a certain age or society gives you the go-ahead to be able to do what you're passionate about.

While some things may reasonably make sense to wait, you can grow as a person and in that skill right where you are. You can start serving God right where you are. You can start fueling your passion right where you are.

You don't have to wait until you're "grown-up"—whatever that age may be.

Let's change the question.

While this question demonstrates concern and care from others, there are other ways to state this without underestimating or feeding low expectations.

So next time you're tempted to ask this question, think of another way. Something like "what career paths are you interested in?" or "what are you passionate about?"

These questions omit the age factor—and onto really truly knowing what others are interested in/passionate about. And when someone responds, encouraging them to do the best they can right where they're at—not wait until they're older—can mean all the difference.

What are your thoughts on this question?

What are your thoughts on the question "what do you want to be when you grow up?" Did you appreciate it growing up? Did you hate it? Drop a comment below, and I'd love to discuss this! ✨