Strictly Not Adult

I don't think you can cut it that sharply. As a teen you are growing into an adult, but the innocence of a child is still there. We grew up in a time where there were hippies and all my moments in art college were extremely precious. When you are young you also believe you know everything, but the key word for adulthood would definitely be learning lessons. It was all a mental process for me, since today I still can't call myself an adult. I am still growing, and it's about how you think of it. Today, I enjoy my grandchildren's company the most, because I can so easily relate to the innocence of being a child again, saying whatever you want and being so confident about yourself. So, I cannot choose between the two lives. Both have been good and bad, and I have lived both to the fullest.
—Rashna Maneckshaw, 63, Navi Mumbai

When I was a teenager, I did not have the facilities that today’s teenagers do. We did not have mobile phones or TV’s, and so life was quite simple, and revolved mostly around doing household chores and helping out at churches. There wasn’t much entertainment, aside from the few family parties we had. Adult life is much better, I think, because of my children and grandchildren, and the few parties I had for them. I think the best part of my life was after I turned 50.
—Louisa Ferreira, 85, Mumbai

I would say that I have lived my teenage life thrice over, once myself and twice through both my daughters — it is sort of a deja vu for me. I think I am actually very content with my life right now, and while I did live life to the fullest when I was a teenager, I wouldn’t say I was carefree like teens are today. I was more patient, responsible and tolerant. I was also very committed, while today there is the help of luxury and people don’t really commit themselves to what they are doing.
—Rajeshwari Jain, 43, Ahmedabad

I think I enjoyed both parts of my life in my own way. Though, when I was younger, I was more ambitious and very dreamy. I cannot dream of living in New York or working in the White House at this age. Adult life is a little difficult, since you are tied up with many responsibilities and obligations, and very close to reality. Yet, I believe that I have enjoyed both my lives.
—Madhu Kapadia, Mumbai

I prefer my teen life, since there are too many responsibilities as an adult. As a teenager, I could just enjoy with my friends without caring. We did have studies, but overall, being a Delhi University graduate, I can say that watching movies, shopping and moving around the city with my group of friends was very memorable. Now, I have a son and I do have to take care of him, I have more liabilities, and so I prefer the times when I was younger.
—Prachi Govil, 38, Mumbai

Rather than teen and adult life, I actually prefer my early childhood, because I had absolutely no worries or tension. I was not answerable to anybody. When you are a teen, there is a lot of pressure on your performance and it is a competitive world, so everyone is trying to get ahead. In adult life, the world is changing so fast, it is unpredictable, I don’t feel I have much control. I love having a family, but I think I love being a parent the most because its very challenging and very joyful. It requires understanding and patience.
—Ashish Mehta, 47, Mumbai

I love both my phases of my life. My teenage life was much simpler than now — no real electronics, very carefree, not any burden of achievement of any kind that kids today tend to face, because the options were much lesser than today. My adult life, on the other hand, has become much easier in a lot of respects with gadgets, etc. Especially for a parent. I think while I enjoyed both my lives equally, when I was younger it was more about friends but now it is more about family.
—Arusha Tuli, 50, Mumbai

I loved the freedom I had when I was a teen, since I wasn’t attached to family or kids, and I could just take off and do whatever I wanted. That doesn’t really exist now, because I have commitment and responsibility. Although, there is a lot of angst connected with being a teen — you are moving away from being a child and those years are a little difficult. Adult life is stable because you have found yourself, and are more established with where you want to be (career-wise), and you have to be sure of all your decisions.
—Suchitra Mehta, 45, Mumbai

I think I preferred my teenage life to my adult life, since when I was a teenager I could be as irresponsible and as carefree as I wanted, but now I have to be responsible for not only me but my family as well, which takes a lot of effort. All in all, I do not like adult life as much as I liked my life when I was much younger.
—Monica Mehta, 46, Mumbai

I feel like I am very happy where I am right now. Looking back at my life, I can say that I lived my teenage life and I am happy where I am as an adult as well. I didn’t have the curiosity for knowledge back then. But now, with age, maturity and wisdom, I understand that there is great joy in learning. I would love to learn a new skills or pursue a hobby. I feel more enthusiastic now as compared to my teenage years.
—Aparna, 44, Mumbai