Analysis Of Where Are You Going Where Have You Been

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Teenage Decisions and Consequences Teen sexuality and the changes teens face growing up affect what decisions they make in life. In the story “ Where are you going, Where have you been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, the author gives indication that sexuality, peer pressure, and bullying play an important part in teens decision making process. Teens are facing the most difficult years right now and the factors I listed does not make it easier for them. Teens are making very dense judgments all due to trying to “fit in” and be cool, or to be popular, or even to feel more attractive to the opposite sex. The author uses the main character of Connie, a young teen who herself is going through the difficulties of life and growing up. Connie doe not…show more content…
She is a young teen trying to fit in and her urge to socialize and be accepted by her peers causes her to make risky decisions and only finds herself alone and in trouble. Joyce Oates proves that teens experience changes in their lives and sexuality that affects decisions they make. Teens change as they get older and in the story 15 year old Connie is experiencing these changes herself. To make her adolescent changes worse her relationship with her mom is sour. Her mother ignores her and talks down to her and belittles her every move. “stop gawking at yourself, who are you? You think you’re so pretty?” (584). Connie’s mom and aunts would always compare her to her sister (584).”Connie’s mother kept picking at her until Connie wished her mother dead and she herself was dead and it was all over” (585). Which I believe lowered her self esteem, and in turn Connie searched for attention and love wherever she could. When Connie and her friend met the boys at the Drive- Inn, Connie was immediately attracted to the boys and…show more content…
As teens and young adults grow and change they face peer pressure from friends and relatives as well as society. Teens feel the need to be accepted and “fit in”. When the girls left the shopping strip and went across the highway to the drive inn (585), they certainly felt like they were in the “in” crowd. “It made them feel good to be able to ignore him”(585). Connie’s desire to be cool and the center of attention brought along peer pressure onto her friend to go to the Drive- Inn with her. According to teenslovetoknow.com teens faced with peer pressure will cause a teen to contemplate a difficult decision. It also states that teens will feel frustrated and lash out as a consequence of peer pressure. Which I believe Connie is doing, she has heard her mother complain about her that she may feel she might as well rebel and in order to upset her mother more. I also do believe that Connie knew that being at the Drive inn was wrong because they both kept it a secret and because she explains to Eddie “ I just hate to leave her like that” (585). To even second guess about leaving her friend alone, Connie knew there could be trouble but still went along with the boy. But her self indulgence and peer pressure would not let her think right. Eddie was a form of peer pressure in Connie’s situation, when he took her into his car Connie thought she was on top of the world “
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