When I was a kid, my parents tried to make the best out of every scenario. We were told to think the best of people, not to judge others based on their appearance or what others thought of them and to be kind to everyone.
Mom and dad taught the obvious rules, like don’t walk in the street, or talk to strangers, or walk in dark places alone — but we were never really taught why. Being kids, my siblings and I just believed our parents and trusted that they knew what was right. When you’re little, you don’t really question why mom and dad tell you to do things, because they know everything. So there was little hesitation of acceptance when I was told not to accept rides home from strangers, or talk to people I didn’t know on the internet or tell anyone where I lived. Any question I did ask was met with the answer “there are bad people in the world.”
Growing up, I slowly understood what my mom meant when she said “bad people.” That one term can encompass anyone from a middle school friend who stabs you in the back to a horror story seen on "Dateline." As I learned the reality of the world we live in, I was taught new rules: don’t accept a drink from any guy, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is, carry a can of pepper spray in your purse. The list goes on and on, with new warnings being added with every horror story told on the news.
I’ve gone from a child who had been taught to believe the best in everyone, to a young adult who knows to question every motive of almost everyone in their life. People that you thought would always be there for you turn out to be your worst enemies and the actions of everyday people are disheartening to hear about.
Younger me didn’t understand why some divorced parents had restraining orders, but now I know that there was likely abuse involved in the relationship (because apparently even the person you marry can turn out to be a monster). I didn’t understand how someone you didn’t even know could want to hurt you, but then I learned that some people are twisted like that. Even in elementary school I was astonished as to why some of my classmates thought it was okay to make fun of other kids; today I am appalled at some of the statements made from stranger to stranger through the safety of a computer screen. You hear story after story of someone hurt by a stranger and then another by a loved one. Watching the news has become almost depressing, hearing mostly about the tragedies at home and in the world— by the time it’s over, all I can do is question the thought process behind the people who commit these crimes.
As a woman I shouldn’t be wary of every man I meet; working in retail I shouldn’t have to worry about when a conversation with a customer turns from friendly to creepy; I shouldn’t have to worry about my friends when they’re out at a party. This shouldn’t be the world that we live in.
While I know that my parents only sugarcoated the world we live in because I was a child and I couldn’t understand (and I will probably do the same to my children until they can understand), I hope that one day I won’t have to worry about my daughter (or granddaughter) going to a college party with some friends, or not be afraid to speak back to the man who makes a lewd comment (or hear no comments at all) and be able to walk in the dark at night and not be afraid of who is going to come after me. There is so much change that can be made, and so much learning that needs to be done, but I can only hope that someday our world won’t be filled with the tragedy it is today and that maybe my grandchildren can continue to be a little naive as they grow older.
