Letters: Feb. 14, 2005

Meet the Twixters

"Every mama bird knows to do what my parents did: kick young adults out of the comfy nest and make them learn to fly on their own."

JOANNE BOYD

Albany, N.Y.

As A 24-year old, I want to thank you for your fair and accurate portrayal of young adults in the U.S. [Jan. 24]. I graduated from college with honors in three years but could not find a job that allowed me to become financially independent. So I moved back home to save money. I was surprised to find that the majority of my high school class had done the same thing. Living at home has enabled me to save for law school. (I start in the fall.) I realize that some people might view my generation as spoiled by our parents. I am glad TIME showed that we are not lazy. We want to work and make our way in the world. I believe our parents deserve a lot of credit for being so supportive. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

TRICIA ENGELHARDT

Northborough, Mass.

I suppose I can make room in my heart for another "downtrodden" minority, the twixters. Poor babies. If only their parents had cut the golden apron strings and left them to their own devices, they would have learned to be more independent. I will immediately write to Congress and demand that these pitiful innocents obtain protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the meantime, I'm launching a support group for these WIMPS (whining immature professional slackers).

BRIAN O'NEIL

Alameda, Calif.

As somewhat of a twixter myself, I assure you that our situation is hardly grave. In fact, our parents could perhaps look to us for guidance. Half our parents are divorced, have financial problems or are stuck in jobs they loathe. Instead of making it seem as if we twixters are spoiled brats, why not praise us as a generation that refuses to fall into the same archaic conventions that have led to so many dysfunctional families? My contemporaries and I don't feel compelled to marry by age 25 and bear children by 27, and we shouldn't have to.

HALEY RUBINSON

New York City

Why do we need to come up with a new label for kids who stay at home with their parents while figuring out what they want to do? We've had a name for that for years: moocher.

JOSEPH MARSHALL

Honolulu

Here's some advice to the twixters from a geezer who joined the military at 17, was raising a family at 21, worked hard days, studied hard nights and built a gratifying life: self-absorption keeps one a child, and commitment to something greater than oneself leads to adulthood. A person has too many choices only if they become excuses for failing to choose, commit and grow. Select a path, and follow it diligently. Then you won't have to seek fulfillment; it will find you.

JOHN J. MOLLICK

Fayetteville, Pa.

There's not a single thing wrong with the young adults who live off their parents that a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps couldn't fix.

JIMMY VERNER

DeSoto, Texas