By Colleen Gray | Copy editor
Remember when you were little and you joked about running away from home because your parents tried to make you eat your vegetables? You would pack a bag and they would just laugh because they knew you wouldn’t do it. Looking back you laugh too, realizing how silly it would be for a 7-year-old to be living on his or her own. What’s not so funny is that now you might be actually considering it — moving away from home.
Our generation is much more diverse than our parents ever thought it would be, and they haven’t adapted to this new way of life. The society we live in has taught us to think freely and offers opportunity for us to be whoever we want to be, but until we turn 18 our parents can block that freedom like a window on a warm sunny day.
Parents are supposed to love you no matter what, but some kids miss out on this basic human emotion and the memories that come with it. Their childhoods are destroyed by strict, selfish adults who don’t have any regard to what being a mother or father really means.
One of the most common reasons a teen might want to leave home is not being accepted for who they are. When it comes to being in the LGBT community, parents might not always approve, but some take things further as to mentally or physically harass their child for it.
“It’s hard enough being gay and being in high school where you expect to be judged, but when your parents turn your backs on you too, it wrecks you inside,” said an Indian Trail junior who requested anonymity.
Another situation is when parents ignore and belittle the achievements of a successful teenager. Straight A’s, star athlete, student council president, first chair flute, or lead actor in the play. You could be all these things and might still be seen as a lazy, good- for-nothing kid. Whether they do it because they are jealous that their own child is better than them or because they’re just downright mean people, there is no excuse to treat anyone so horribly that they would consider leaving the one place they should feel safe.
Forgetting about the reason why teens want to move out, let us focus on the problems that happen after they do. If they are under 18, they have to find a friend to mooch off of, which no one really wants to do, or find a relative, which will make family reunions even more awkward. If they are over 18 that brings a whole new set of responsibilities on top of being a high school student.
“Worrying about my grades, deciding on the college I want to go to, and having a job is tiring,” said KMA senior Matt Czarny. “Thinking about having rent and bills too is scary. Makes being an adult more real than it should be right now.”
Having to even consider moving out is a big deal. If it has crossed your mind you need to think about your decision and see if it’s really necessary or if you’re just being a stubborn teen eager to grow up. Talk to friends or adults you’re close to before taking any further action. If moving out is the best thing for you, do it, but make sure you have a plan and somewhere safe and warm to go to.