The normalization of the inappropriate makes me frustrated and sad. Once years ago I had my family (husband and two sons) watch Sixteen Candles with me, a favorite of mine when I saw it as a 16 year old in theaters. I couldn't believe what I was watching: normalization, nay, glamorization, of rape culture. I just couldn't see it at 16. Thank goodness for whatever cultural forces have made your daughter righteously aware.
I felt this. I look back now and wish I'd been kinder to myself. I was a little wild. My daughter has so much better sense, self-esteem, and boundaries. I have so much hope for her generation. They seem to see things more clearly than e did and don't stand for things that we tolerated. Yay!
When I read the title, I froze thinking I would read another version of my own story. I was 16 in a relationship with a 23-year-old. We did a whole lot more than what you described. It wasn't until many years later, when I became a parent, that I realized how inappropriate it was. No one intervened, but what's even more disturbing, I wasn't the first teenager he "dated."
I've shared my story and I appreciate you sharing yours. I'm grateful your daughter is making different choices. I'm grateful that my son one wants to date young women his age.
We (Genx) certainly grew up with different rules and expectations - thanks for sharing 🙏🏽
The normalization of the inappropriate makes me frustrated and sad. Once years ago I had my family (husband and two sons) watch Sixteen Candles with me, a favorite of mine when I saw it as a 16 year old in theaters. I couldn't believe what I was watching: normalization, nay, glamorization, of rape culture. I just couldn't see it at 16. Thank goodness for whatever cultural forces have made your daughter righteously aware.
9 < 16 cousin (1983)
13 < 17 camp counselor (1987)
14 < 19 camp counselor (1988)
15 < 18 friend’s older brother became my boyfriend (1989)
16 < 20 nice boyfriend. My parents liked him! But he was in college and I was in high school (1990)
28 < 41 almost married him (2002)
I married someone my own age and he turned out to be a dud. But I think the age spread was more accepted in the 80s and 90s for sure
I felt this. I look back now and wish I'd been kinder to myself. I was a little wild. My daughter has so much better sense, self-esteem, and boundaries. I have so much hope for her generation. They seem to see things more clearly than e did and don't stand for things that we tolerated. Yay!
Thanks for sharing this.
When I read the title, I froze thinking I would read another version of my own story. I was 16 in a relationship with a 23-year-old. We did a whole lot more than what you described. It wasn't until many years later, when I became a parent, that I realized how inappropriate it was. No one intervened, but what's even more disturbing, I wasn't the first teenager he "dated."
I've shared my story and I appreciate you sharing yours. I'm grateful your daughter is making different choices. I'm grateful that my son one wants to date young women his age.
The Gen X life was definitely different.
Thank you for sharing!