I don't think kids are growing up too fast

Driver's license and permit applications from this generation of teens are the lowest that they have been in decades. Why? When you can have others give you rides? Why get a license when that would mean you'd be accepting the responsibility of helping your family do errands, possibly getting and caring for your own car and being expected to make sure you get to school on time for yourself and even possibly get a job?

"With great power comes great responsibility" is the tl;dr. When you have parents who are willing to accept "the economy" and "I have anxiety" as an excuse not to even attempt indepebdence, you have teenagers (who are lazy by nature, usually) who will do as little as they can get away with.

It's not just that. There's so much emphasis being paid to the academic that there is very little time and resources to dedicate to practical skills. I have met *so* many college students who can do complex math in their sleep but have no idea what to do when they need to apply for a credit card or purchase health insurance.