Students face harsh realities of getting older, Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season in America, a time where people can take a break from life and enjoy delicious food around the table with their families, but adult responsibilities separate some from their families.

College students are almost adults, and with all the benefits more years bring, age adds responsibilities: Buying gifts for family members, traveling long distance to get home, and even working through the holidays to put money in their pockets.

University of Maryland students are not exempt from these rules of life, and for some the realities of getting older interrupt the holidays which used to be a carefree time to enjoy good company and good food. Every year more and more businesses are staying open on Thanksgiving, making some students late to the feast and forcing others to miss out entirely.

The Greene family of Baltimore, Md., whose son David is a junior at College Park, will be missing a member at the Thanksgiving table due to work. Greene’s cousin Alex was called in to work on Thanksgiving, but he will be taking home overtime hours and some extra cash. While it “sucks” for David to miss out on seeing family members, flexible employers and monetary or other benefits lessen the blow.

“It’s not preferred,” says junior Mohib Iqbal, “people should be with their families.” However, Iqbal does appreciate the initiative by shopkeepers to stay open to customers who may be in need.  During the holiday season, “you never know when you’ll need a gift,” and these stores being open could save the less prepared from an awkward Thanksgiving, he says.

“It’s should be on the businesses to anticipate closing,” according to sophomore Grant Cohen, who believes it is not fair to workers to make them miss the holidays. While it seems unnecessary for people to work through the holidays, Cohen realizes that not everyone has the choice, and people are forced to make do, even if they miss out on family and delicious food.

Junior Ben Eidelberg works as a manager for Maryland’s basketball team, a job that will have him working Thanksgiving morning. Luckily for him, his home in Baltimore is not so far away that he will miss the holiday, but he sympathizes with those workers who will miss out on turkey, stuffing, gravy and other delicious foods.

“I’m not going to be happy” about working on Thanksgiving he says, but his team and his employer are counting on him to show up, just like workers at other businesses across the country. “It’s technically fair,” but upsetting to be called in to work that day.

Being older will get you a seat at the grown-ups table, but unfortunately for some, age also brings responsibilities like work that keeps them from enjoying the holidays like they were younger.