Essay Unit

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In class we read an essay entitled "In America we have a little problem with self and society" also known as "The New Lone Ranger". The essay is about the new social 'frontier' teenagers have to face now between when puberty starts, approximately at age 13, till the common age of marriage, over 30. It describes how this time period can be quite frightening, and it explains how teenagers get through it. They create the image of a person who can handle being alone, and does not need anyone romantically. As the author says in the essay, "Now young people face a social frontier of their own. They hit puberty around 13 and many don't get married until they're past 30. That's two decades of coupling, uncoupling, hooking up, relationships, and shopping around. This period isn't a transition anymore. It's a sprawling life stage, and nobody knows the rules." One of the things that makes this time period so frightening to some, is just that. Nobody knows the rules, so how is one to know what is acceptable and what they should not do?

The song "According to You" by Orianthi shows similar ideas. It has the classic girl, who seems not to need anyone romantically, who has no trouble telling off her boyfriend. In the song it describes how her 'boyfriend' constantly puts her down and is unappreciative of her. "According to you, I'm stupid, I'm useless, I can't do anything right. According to you, I'm difficult, hard to please, forever changing my mind. I'm a mess, in a dress, can't show up on time. Even if, it would save my life. According to you." In the chorus she begins to describe another boy who compliments her and appreciates her qualities. "But according to him, I'm beautiful, incredible, he can't get me out of his head. According to him, I'm funny, irresistible, everything he ever wanted." At the end of the song she then turns it around and tells her boyfriend what she thinks of him. "According to me, you're stupid, you're useless, you can't do anything right." This song clearly shows what the essay means by "a social frontier" and "a sprawling life stage". It demonstrates an example of a bad relationship, where the girl is essentially enduring verbal abuse for a while, the confusion of relationships, her all of a sudden having a guy who doesn't insult her while she is still with the other guy, and how this time period is full of trials and tribulations, using a specific example.