Childhood, reviewed
Childhood can be a magic kingdom or a filthy dungeon. It can be a cakewalk, or an emotional death march. Closer inspection, however, uncovers a series of random events blossoming across a progressively more complicated framework that makes us — lucky, well-adjusted, mature us — the adults that we are.
But for all the ink childhood gets as a vehicle for selling toys or justifying psychological problems, it rarely gets much scrutiny on its own merits. And thus:
Bob Cook breaks down the fundamental stuff you've got to learn between birth and your 4th birthday. Of course, if you don't have it down, it's too late to go back.
The next part of your life is when you start to like the Yankees, writes Chris Junior.
Then, it's time to get goat-ugly. But, wait, being ugly builds character, writes Claire Zulkey. She then backs this up with a courageous personal testimonial.
Alissa Rowinsky meditates on the blossoming years of puberty, and their attendant raft of humiliation.
Finally, Wayne Lewis examines the dangers of being 16 for any longer than is absolutely necessary.
Begin the voyage of life >>>
— James Norton (jim@flakmag.com)
