I’ve been a teenager for two years now – let me tell you, it is not all it’s cracked up to be.
I remember being 6 years old and watching movies such as “High School Musical” and “Mean Girls.”
Some of my favorite memories as a child were playing “Teenager” with my best friends.
To me teenagers had it made. Freedom, Cars, Money, Boyfriends, Friendships that last forever, Perfect home lives, Good Grades, and I spent from age 6-12 dreaming of being a teenager.
So now I am one, I’ve been one for a while, and I think here in America we truly romanticize teenagehood.
I think from a young age we are given shoes that are impossible to fill.
Books, movies, and tv tell us all about how amazing your life should be when you hit the “Golden Years” of your life but do they teach and show our adolescents how it most likely will be?
This is why I admire movies like “Palo Alto” and “KIDS” because they are so raw and real. They do such a stellar job of showing teens like me that we are not alone, and this period of our life is not everything we were promised it would be.
I want the upcoming female generations to know that they are princesses all on their own, and prince charming is so hard to come by.
I want them to know they will find him one day but most likely not in high school.
I want them to know the truth about men like Donald Trump and how High School boys are not so different.
I have two sisters – Reign (age 6) and River (9 months.) I want their teenage years to be much different than mine and the ones that came before me, so much better.
I want them to become strong independent women who change the world.
I want them to be like Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton.
I wanted them to grow up in Hillary’s America.
But this country is full of doubt and fear that we would rather appoint a minority hating maniac than a WOMEN.
I would just like to take this time and apologize to all the little girls out there who saw themselves in her eyes and witnessed on November 8th, 2016 that you could work your whole life to achieve your dreams and they may never come true, within a country that promises you everything.
I know one day we will break down the walls our country has built around us and prove that women can achieve absolutely everything if not MORE than a man can.
I’m sorry this country failed us but I believe, I really believe one day this playing field will once and for all be evened out.
So all we can do is hope, stay positive and optimistic.
Hopeful that teenagehood can become a slightly less scary and awkward time with the help of FACTUAL media exposure and honest, loving parenting.
Hopeful that our country will one day love us back much as we love it and our freedom.
Photo Credit: x1klima Flickr via Compfight cc
Raegan, your writing and insight is like a breath of fresh air in a world full of people who can’t think for themselves. It sounds like you have a pretty good concept of reality at such a young age and that’s a great advantage to have in this world! Your a wonderful writer, don’t ever stop!
Love your voice Raegan!!! Keep shouting it out!!
Raegan, this is awesome! As Stephanie said, you help me believe that things will get better. Thank you for your honesty.
Raegan: it’s so true that the way the media lights up “teenagehood” especially in Movies and Tv – makes little kids dream of becoming teenagers… and the reality is so much different then what has been depicted for so long. It certainly isn’t about make-up and the school dance!!! Kids was a very influential movie for me as well- – and the things I write tend to lean more towards realism. I love you and your writing and your honesty. #imwithyou #youllchangetheworld
Yes, yes, and yes! Raegan, you have given me hope! you represent the generation who will change the destructive course this country has taken. I hated my teenage years, teenagers are often treated like the burden rather than bright minds who have the key to change the world. We need more young people like you, Raegan, Bravo!