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| Venti Berryblossom tea misto (or tea latte), non-fat, sugar-free vanilla |
The coffee house was buzzing! There were grandparents there with their infant grandchild, the grandfather sitting sleepily, his eyes barely open, and the grandmother in her home made sweater, curled hair and white dangling earrings looked at the baby with admiration and love. There was an older couple, neither with wedding rings on, talking quietly in the corner. There were business people with their laptops, coffee in one hand reports in the other. But what stuck out to me the most were the kids.
There must be a school nearby. Three teenage girls sat in the coffee shop, talking, giggling, just being girls, and as I left, five more came charging in my direction, laughing and making jokes, one with her lunchbox in hand. What was so exciting? What were they talking about? I tried to think back to when I was that age. I couldn't be separated from my girlfriends. But I went to a rural school at that age, so we couldn't have outings like this. We would talk about boys, about teachers, about how unreasonable our parents were, about all the things we wanted to do but couldn't because we didn't have a car...is that still the same? Is the innocence of youth still prevalent?
This world is changing quickly. Ten years ago, there wouldn't be reality television highlighting teen pregnancy, and there wouldn't be shows like that now if it was not a large, controversial issue in our society. Don't get me wrong, I am not judging families that are dealing with the loss of innocence of their children...that is not for me to criticize. I just don't understand how we got here. My heart breaks for these children and their parents.
I'm not really sure how my wandered here, but it's something that I have considered a lot in the past few years. My sister is 14. I can't imagine her doing anymore than giggling with her friends about a boy she likes, and I hope that it stays that way for a while longer. I guess it scares me that this issue is becoming accepted as the norm. What I mean is, I grew up in an unhealthy environment. I know it doesn't take much for a young girl to seek solace in the things of this world when she isn't being loved in the way a child should be. I think that that is the bigger problem than teen pregnancy, and teen pregnancy is just the cover that people hide behind because they don't want to deal with the root issues. I'm rambling...this is a whole other topic for another time.
I pray that those girls I saw today are able to be kids and enjoy life. And I pray that one day, when I am a mom, my kids will be able to do the same. But what we, as a society, call normal shouldn't be, and one day there will be consequences. These kids are the leaders of tomorrow. Let's build them up so that they can.
Author's Note: My opinion pertains mostly to North American culture. I understand that cultural differences throughout the world may make these thoughts not applicable.
-SP
2 comments:
Very interesting blog Stephanie. In mexico we see teen pregnancy as the norm definitely. But it isn't because the young teens aren't loved, that is for sure. The kids in our community are doted on and loved by everyone, but alot of girls are pregnant at 16 shortly after their coming of age Quincinera party. They are pregnant just as their moms were pregnant as teens. At that point for most girls it ends their education. They work alongside their family to provide the newest family member. Some get married but most can never afford a wedding. It is a cycle that will continue until these girls can envision a different future.
Also a good point. I thought of that angle today too, thinking how back in the day, it was usual to get married really young and have kids right away. And perhaps that isn't a terrible thing. I guess what I am saying is that the way North America sensationalizes it, coupled with the statistics of abuse in the household leads me to question this issue...I don't buy that it's a bunch of kids making a wrong decision. I think it's more complicated than that.
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