When I first saw this assignment on the syllabus, I thought it would be easy. However, once I started searching the internet for actual teen resources, I found that I was sorely mistaken. I chose to focus on the town I grew up in, West Hartford, Connecticut because I was curious to see what types of things a small suburban community has to offer. The answer: not that much. I found a few places where teens can hang out (including the library), and two places that serve as resource centers for teens and their parents, but overall I was unimpressed with what is out there. It seems like there are alot more resources for parents having "trouble" with their teens than the teens themselves.
When I was a teeanger in West Hartford, I don't remember ever really using any of the resources that might have been available to me with the exception of going to the library to get books. Sometimes in the nurses office I would read a pamphlet about sex or eating disorders, but I never attended any type of support group or social event sponsored by a group not involved with the school (except concerts and stuff like that) and I can't remember any of my friends doing so either. I imagine this lack of attendance on the part of teens is even worse today because of the internet. If I wanted to know about something, I went to the library and looked it up whereas today, I would not even have to leave the house or if I didn't have a computer, I could just do it from school.
I wonder if teen spaces are really popular anywhere or if the nature of the whole matter does not lend itself to that. I think there are always going to be a few kids who like that kind of thing, but overall most teens would rather hang out on their own with friends. Maybe I am just old and disillusioned, but I find it hard to believe that there are places like this that are considered "cool." I am very curious to see what types of resources other people found in different areas.
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Yes, they can be hard to come by in many communities, which in a way, is sad, because it illustrates how the community thinks about teens. So many communities offer resources for children and for senior citizens, but then they often forget about the ages in-between.
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