Teenage Runaways
A news bulletin flashed across the television, interrupting my favorite program. A news reporter announced the case of missing teenagers who had been reported missing for the past twenty-four hours. It was later revealed that these teenagers had run away and left a note demanding more independence. Strangely, these teens were from wealthier families, leaving their parents puzzled as to why they chose to leave home. The teenagers themselves defended their decision stating, “We are almost grown; give us our space.” The issue of teenage runaways is becoming increasingly prevalent in America, with many running away due to difficulties with discipline, communication, and attention.
The first girl interviewed by the news reporter complained about the excessive discipline in her household. She provided examples to support her claim. According to her, being just two minutes late for her curfew resulted in a one-week grounding for each minute of lateness. She was not allowed to make phone calls after 9:30 p.m. or speak to boys on the phone at all. If she broke any of these rules, she lost all telephone privileges. Additionally, she had to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Despite acknowledging that her parents were doing it out of love, she pleaded for them to stop and allow her to grow up.
The reporter questioned a girl who expressed her frustration about her parents’ lack of understanding. The girl explained that although she acknowledged their efforts, she needed a break because they constantly wanted to communicate with her. She shared that her mother wanted to know every detail of her life, including her sexual experiences, how it felt to be intoxicated, and even asked about her spiritual thoughts. The girl described this level of communication as excessive.
