Not too long ago we had our first school break of the year. I like,
many others, went home to get re-acquainted with our family. Many freshman
found out what the rest of us have known for years. You can never truly
go home.
There are many reasons for this phenomenon. Mostly it is the
freedom and responsibility that inevitably changes the college student.
We may not think that we are different, but our parents will immediately
make us aware of it.
This break, I had the same old problems with being home with my
family. I wanted to go out, and they demanded that I be home by midnight or just simply not go out because it was too dangerous.
I know they love me, but I don't like this because I am 22.
They
don't understand where I got my taste for my unusual music, which is
exactly what other college students my age are listening to. They say
things to me like "I don't understand, you used to be so agreeable." Well,
the reason I was apparently "agreeable" back then was because I had no
reason to disagree. Now I know so much more about the world and how I
fit into it. I know how to take care of myself and I want to be
respected and treated as an adult. The only problem is that parents
never see their offspring as adults.
When I tell them about what a
wonderful weekend I had with my boyfriend, they treat me as though I was
causing a scandal. To tell you the truth, the weekend was a very innocent
one where we decided to run off and spend the weekend at his house at the
beach on a whim.
Another thing I find kind of humorous is the way parents want
their college kids to snap right back into their old family routine,
complete with chores. Don't get me wrong-- I like helping around the house
and I think that any respectful person should help their family when they
go home, but this is different. My Mom used to do my laundry for me
because I didn't know how to before I went to school. Now I've been
doing my laundry by myself for 4 years and know exactly what I'm
doing. She insists for some reason that she does my laundry and claims
that I don't know how. She also wants me to clean my room before I go
anywhere, even if I'm home for only two days and it would be redundant to
unpack my bag.
Oh well, I guess I will always be that 18-year-old
high school graduate to them. Gee, I wonder what they are going to do the
first time I come home for the Holidays with a husband and a kid!?
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Name: Charlene Ratliff Comments:
Dear last commentator...I bet I know who you are....but anyway...You have missed the whole point of my article. Which by your language doesn't surprise me. I am there to see my parents. I love my parents. Some weekends I ask them if it would be ok for me to come visit and they tell me no. Because they don't want me driving by myself. You see the freedom factor is very small...the only reason I mentioned it was because it gives students a chance to become independant. However what's frustrating is when your parents expect you to be dependant because "you don't know how to do that." For example I had to argue with my mom to let me fill out my own insurance form for a doctor visit....I have done it before here at school but she believes that there is no way possible for her "baby" to understand how to do it. So say what you want...you don't know me or my parents and apparently you probably still live at home.
Comments:
Why do you insist on going home if you are going to complain about every standard or expectation they put upon you? You bitch that they set a curfew, but is it really that big of a deal? Are you there to see them or your friends? Or are you there only because the dorms are closed? Do them a favor and don't let them know you're in town if your only concern is exercising this new "freedom" and those new "responsibilities". If you can't avoid going home then do it without all the cryin'...
Name:Brian (a different Brian) Major: Advertising Comments:
My parents are quite the opposite. They understand that I am now 20, and they trust me. I have never had a curfew in my life. Rather, we negotiate, and I arrive home when I say I will be home. They trust that. They trust me.
Name:Brian Major: CS Comments:
They are gonna want you to sleep in different beds (not to mention different rooms), and go to bed at midnight. Tis one of the reasons why i don't even tell my parents i even date.
