Are you meaning like when we are adults on our own we aren't receiving consequences under a parent or guardian? That is true that I no longer get time outs or other cleverly creative punishments from my parents.
It is also true that if my husband decided one day to quit his job or not go because he didn't want to that bills would not get paid and utilities would get shut off. Consequence. Collections would start coming after us in a couple months if debts could not be paid. Consequence. We would have a hard time affording to eat. Consequence.
In my life I notice evident consequences that lie beyond my choices. For example, if I choose not to go to bed at a reasonable hour that it will be difficult to do my best for my family the next day, which I see as a consequence. If I don't have meals prepared we face the consequence that we will need to grab unhealthy food to go that isn't the best use of our money at this time. If I don't get the laundry finished that not everyone has the clothes they would like to wear. I think you get the picture here. Adult consequences are not fun. I miss being a kid lol.
Although I don't really miss being a kid all that much, I get your point. I never really did grow up completely in the first place though. :biggrin