The Young Ones

          The Young Ones

Growing up I was brought up in a strict household, couldn’t go on sleepovers, hardly went over to any friend’s house. Things were quite straightforward I knew what was allowed and what wasn’t. At times I slammed doors and would go into my room huffing and puffing because I wouldn’t have things my way. I’m still the first to get in trouble to this day and even if I get into a fight with my younger brother, he is the first to attack me with unpleasant comments. Father will meanwhile call me out and completely ignore any of what my brother says or does. Mind you, I am twenty-three years old. Full attention keeps me accountable and on my feet at times. Although, other times it’ll annoy every bit of patience I have.  But, what’s in it for the males in the house. What’s in it for making young men meet higher societal expectations?

As an eleven year old, adults seemed to pay more attention at the only girl in the household constantly being  observed, reprimanded, and questioned while the younger

boy’s--my two nephews, and brother made fun of me. Currently, my older nephew is seventeen, my brother is sixteen and my younger nephew, Naham is 14 years old. Two of the boys are already on their way out—my older nephew, Bet-el is a senior in high school and my younger brother, Manuel is a junior, and they are quite close to graduating. However, their motivation to do well in school is concerning; when I’ve sat in the past with Bet-el to ask about his plans after graduation his response is simply “I’m not sure, I don’t know” with a smirk in his face. I’ve asked my brother the same question and his answer now is I’m going to El Camino College Compton Center and transfer. Before, he’d say he wanted to become a fire fighter, and previous to that he had no interest as well. This kid is a different story, he’s been through quite a lot; negative influences, lack of guidance, lack of motivation,  and excessive truancies beyond all the comments school administrators have recorded on paper as part of his behavior report. Beyond the comments of school administrators on my brother, Manuel has the kindest heart, puts a smile on my face and reminds me with his presence to continue working hard.

I know what you might be thinking and yes I may be bias in terms of what my ears are pleased to hear. It just doesn’t make since that the kids I saw grow before my eyes and helped raise are falling through the cracks. Why the desperation? Well, according, to the Forbes magazine “young (15 to 24 year old) males are over four times as likely to commit suicide, nine times as likely to be murdered, and for those under 18, about 25 times (!!!) as likely to be imprisoned. They are also less religious - but far more violent.” See, I know how much it sucks to be that one person from the “ghetto” who isn’t taken seriously. My duty as their aunt and sister is to encourage them to play a part of the male presence in higher education institutions. I want them to supersede any of the stereotypes that are subtly waiting for them in their respective high school’s or on their neighborhood grounds and prove themselves that they resist to yet another statistic.