Idealism in the traditional sense is societally defined by some measure of unbridled optimism. Within this context is the idea that as we grow, idealism is tempered and beaten down into realism or cynicism.
In this definition it is a natural progression from naivete to cynicsm; with lucky ones finding themselves just shy of cynicism.
A second common societal acceptance that leads to cynicism is the loss of innocence and the desire to return to youth. Being ‘young at heart’ becomes a state worth pursuing. But how?