Birthdays can often be a huge deal for children: themed parties, elaborate cakes, lots of presents, even goody bags. But at some point, do we outgrow celebrating our birthday? Or is it still fun to celebrate ourselves once a year with friends and family?
How do you celebrate your birthday?
In her satirical Sunday Review essay “It’s My Birthday! Is That O.K.?,” Alison Zeidman wonders if there is any room for a birthday get-together with friends in our increasingly informal, social-media-obsessed culture. Or is that asking for too much?
Hey everybody!
It’s that time of year again … my birthday! It would mean the world to me if you all could be there to celebrate. I know you’re all busy with your own lives though, so if you can’t, no pressure. Seriously — please do not feel obligated.
WHEN: I’m thinking Tuesday, March 22. That’s the actual date of my birthday, but more important, it’s a weekday. I know I can’t expect my birthday party to compete with anybody’s weekend, right? Or your Wednesdays. Or Thursdays. Or Fridays. Maybe Mondays, I guess. Hmm … should I switch it to a Monday? Never mind. Let’s just leave it on the 22nd — just in case I’m wrong and one of you is, like, the anti-Garfield and just loves Mondays!
As far as time, I’m thinking … 7:30? Right? I figure that’s late enough for everybody to get there after work, but not so late that you’ll start to resent me for keeping you out. LOL. (But not really LOL — I mean, I get it, you have to get home, watch some TV, scroll through Facebook on your phone, stay up for another two hours … I totally get it. Don’t worry.)
WHERE: I was thinking we could go to that place where Jen had her birthday dinner, the one with those amazing truffle fries. Remember the truffle fries?! I wasn’t invited, so I don’t — I’ve just heard a lot of people talking about them.
It’s in Williamsburg, which I also figured would be good because I know a lot of us are living in that general part of Brooklyn these days. Except for Tom. Tom, you just moved to Park Slope, right? That’s kind of out of the way for me, but would you be more likely to come if dinner were in your neighborhood? And everybody else — would you be more likely to come if Tom’s coming?
Students: Read the entire Opinion essay, then answer the questions below:
— How do you celebrate your birthday?
— Was your birthday a big deal when you were younger? Do you have a favorite party or celebration that you remember? Is it still a big deal for you?
— Is celebrating our birthdays as we get older a fun way to bring our community of family and friends together? Is it just a good excuse for a party? Is it a healthy way to celebrate ourselves? Or is it a narcissistic exercise?
— What do you think of Ms. Zeidman’s satirical piece? What do you think is her message? Does it ring true? In what ways?
Students 13 and older are invited to comment below. All comments are moderated by Learning Network staff members, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.
Henry Xu on our Student Council suggested this Opinion essay.