Many teenagers have probably heard this sort of phrase at least five times in their life. Parents go on about how growing up was different and “better” than compared to today. While the “better” part is debatable, the “different” part is very much truthful, as the world keeps changing and developing.
I decided to interview my Mom and my Nana, as they both grew up in very different times. To put it into perspective, my Nana was born in 1955, while my Mom was born in 1985. I interviewed both of them, asking what both their childhoods were like.
My nana, Edna Highstreet (mom’s mom), is now 70 years old, going on 71. She grew up in L.A. and is one of the younger siblings in her family. Out of all of them, however, the one she looked up to the most was her older brother.
“Jimmy was my big brother I looked up to growing up,” said Edna, “He was 12 years older than me.”
Nana loved her teenage years, and wishes she could go back to her youth.
“The best thing was that I lived in a nice town and had a lot of friends and great music,” said Edna, a huge Beatle’s fan, “I would definitely go back.”
However, no teenage life is all sunshine and rainbows, and that was the case with Edna growing up.
“What was hard growing up was trying to fit in with the other kids,” said Edna, “I was also considered poor, too.”
“I also always wanted to make the right choices.”
Nana had some advice to offer to her teenage self:
“Don’t marry young! After high school, continue your education in Trade School or College.” said Edna. “I think if I did that, life would have been a lot more interesting and fulfilling.”
From one generation to the next, I asked my mom, Emily Gonzalez, about her life growing up. She is now 40, going on 41 soon (yeah I know, young mom.)
Emily talked about her best and hardest things about growing up.
“I think the hardest part was that feelings are just so intense at that stage of life,” said Emily, “Love, pain, and joy. That was the hardest part for me. All those feelings with a brain that is still developing.”
“The best thing however, is the lack of adult responsibilities. Time felt like it moved slower. I was able to see and spend so much time with my friends without the mental burden of a job and bills.”
Like mother like daughter, Emily also looked up to her brother(s).
“I looked up to my brothers,” said Emily, “I also had some youth group counselors at church I looked up to.”
Unlike her mother, Emily only sometimes wishes she could go back.
“Sometimes, but the older I get, the more I do not,” said Emily, “I would love to feel that carefreeness again, but I wouldn’t trade the way I have grown as a person to be young again. I feel like I am finally starting to like who I am and I’m 40.”
Emily did agree on something with her mom, though.
“I wish I had therapy growing up.”
Further highlighting how the awareness of mental health is rising.
To end it off, Emily gave some advice to today’s generation of young teens.
“You will struggle to accept and trust love from others until you believe you are worth loving,” said Emily, “You will spend the rest of your life with you, so treat yourself kindly, and love yourself.”
“Never override that feeling that you are about to do, or are doing, something that you should not do. If your actions could hurt another living thing, in any way, then you should not do it. Period.”
“Choose kindness.”
WRITTEN BY: Noah Gonzalez, Empowerteen Reporting Journalism Intern
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