Newt Gingrich: Let's End Adolescence

Ok, so I was fascinated by this article that I found while perusing oped pieces online. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich strongly asserts that adolescence (which he determines to be a "social institution") should be eliminated. While first reading this, I thought he was being simply absurd. Ending adolescence seems about as likely as ending childhood; after all, isn't there a clear psychological gap between childhood and adulthood? Gingrich argues that there clearly is not. After all, children used to go to Princeton at thirteen; Daniel Boone made a solitary year-long trip through the wilderness at fifteen. Obviously, our problem-ridden educational system, teen drug use, STI epidemics, and international competitiveness (especially within the science and technology spheres) would be miraculously cured by simply eliminating adolescence.

Now, I see true merit in his argument. However, I still have a few questions for Speaker Gingrich regarding our response to critics. First, seeing as you advocate essentially an acceleration of the education system (year-round school, fewer years of high school, etc.), how will young adults be stopped from engaging in despicable behavior (such as drug use, etc.) as they move through the education system? Do you plan on overworking them so extremely that they simply will not have time to party? It sounds like a recipe for success to me, but there are a few kinks that may need to be worked out. Second, though of course this "adolescence" was indeed a silly creation from the nineteenth century, would it be ridiculous to consider the rather significant technological advancements that have come throughout the past two centuries? Granted, I concede that maybe these developments came only despite adolescence; however, how do we escape from those who argue that a broader, more in-depth education may have had something to do with technology skyrocketing? Finally, while I completely respect your invocation of well-known historical figures in your analysis, I feel that perhaps their current relevance may confuse some. Yes, these American political and cultural icons are quite amazing, but the reality is that society has changed, for better or worse.

Overall, I completely agree with Speaker Gingrich about the current problems amongst teens and education (drug use, lack of academic performance, etc.). However, looking to past social conventions may be futile, seeing as we are living in highly technological and globalized age.