05.14.06 March of the ‘Man Babies’

The Orange County Weekly has a cover story about so-called “Man Babies,” adult men who are “held in an internal stasis; they age, but they do not develop as much as repeat.”

Writer Chris Ziegler was inspired to coin this latest neologism (see also: grup, kidult, twixter, and, oh yeah, rejuvenile) after observing dads and their sons at a local mall dressed in identical baggy jeans, floppy T’s and “fat marshmallow tennis shoes.” The story is mostly about how dramatically the adult male dress code has changed from masculine and formal to boyish and casual. Men who a generation ago would have never left the house without a coat and spiffy shoes are now showing up at work in Quicksilver shorts and flip-flops.

Ziegler includes a few chin-strokey remarks from yours truly, along with a terrific interview with a marketing exec at OP, the sportswear manufacturer famous for its laid-back Jeff Spicoli aesthetic. The most faithful OP customers are guys aged 15-24, but the brand also enjoys a loyal following among men over 35 who simply never “grew out” of OP.

I’m not crazy about the “Man Baby” moniker, of course. The men he’s describing don’t seem particularly babyish – more like Man Teens. Beyond that, I wonder why he left women out of the equation – what about all the mall rat moms running around with Forever 21 capris and Hot Topic T’s?

Rejuvenile. Sounds almost how someone might describe me. Lost 2 wives becuse I didn’t “change”. Exact words of my last ex - “I expected you to grow into a distinguished older gentleman. Look at you, you’re nothing but an overaged teenager!” OK. Yes, I promised myself in my late teens that I would never “grow up”. Why should I change my likes/dislikes simply due to age? If I like rock music at 18, why should I suddenly decide at 25, or 25, or 45, or ? that I’m too old and start listening to something else? Today, as an adult, I have many job skills, alot of knowledge. I’m a father and a grandfather. I ride motorcycles, my hair is still long, I still listen to Death Metal, wear tshirts (not at work - I’m a systems Administrator), read comic books, play video games...I still like doing certain things and always will. Though I am getting a bit old to slam-dance in mosh pits, I still can’t miss a Slayer concert! And I love chasing my daughters and granddaughters around with a SuperSoaker. My Dad never grew up either, and at 68, he rides his Harley with an outlaw bike gang and smokes pot. Guess what his dad did at that age? Sat in front of the TV and drank until he passed out. He was a grownup. Grow up? Why!?