Juette Ramocan, ContributorDATING is part of socialising and having fun, if only we could convince parents that this is true. The usual reason given by parents for not allowing their teens to go on a date is that they don't want their youngsters to be distracted by any "fool fool pickney down de lane dat lack ambition."
Nevertheless, during summer holidays when everyone is chilling this is still an issue. So it is hard to convince us that it does not boil down to the parents' lack of trust.
One of the consequences of this scenario is the development of a lying and sneaky teenager, which I'm sure is not the intention. We as teenagers have to understand that parents want their teens to become a "big time success" and are committed to preventing and erasing anything, or anyone that could hinder them from becoming shining stars.
Some parents panic when calls come in from members of the opposite sex, because somehow it triggers the thought that both could be sexually active. And they also panic when permission is sought to go out with someone special.
This poses the questions: do our parents want us to be honest, or do they want us to pretend to sleep over at a friend's house then sneak off to a romantic escapade?
Some teens go to the extreme of scaring their parents into making them date by telling them that they are no longer attracted to the opposite sex.
We should not have to go to that extreme in order to achieve a little freedom. Parents should encourage their teens to have an honest and open relationship with them.
If not, when a dilemma strikes it will be too late for parents to ask: "Where did I go wrong?"
Juette Ramocan is a student of the Edna Manley School of the Visual Arts and one of six teenagers whose opinions will appear in this slot each week. Send your feedback to Outlook Magazine, 7 North Street, Kingston or fax 922-6223; email features@gleanerjm.com.
