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Show PTT THD “WHY DO TEENS HANG WITH THEIR OWN KIND— ie LIKE RICH KIDS HANG WITH RICH KIDS?” Voices A teenagegirlfrom Edmond, Okla., askedthis question. Here are someexcerpts fromour readers’responses: Thad a few friends from “other groups,” but rarely did find it as easy to hang out with them as I did with friends whose lives were more similar to mine. I had one friend who got a new convertible for her 16th birthday and wenton ski trips. I couldn't easily adapt to “her world,” because I had never been around people with that kind of moncy. Talso had a friend who ate macaroni most nights and dealt with an alcoholic brother. Although we were close, there were moments when she came over when I'd feel guilty that I had my own bathroom and my own TV and VCR,etc. Ideally, teens would overlook these differences and seek outfriends for other reasons. But mostly they don’t. —Angela Copeland, 21, Joplin, Mo. Myfriends andI are all from different backgrounds. Some ofusattend church faithfully. Others haven't been in months. Most ofus are white, but a few are black. Some live in nice houses and others in trailer parks. But weare all friends. We don't think anyofus is bet- ter than anybodyelse. Welisten to and help each other. The girl wrote about “rich kids.” She shouldn't label them.If she'd take the time to get to know someone,she might surprise herself and make a new friend. —Faustinn Brown, 15, Denham Springs, La. A lot of teen conversation revolves around makingfunofother people and complaining aboutlife in general. It’s easier to makefun of others when you are in a groupoffriends whoare similar to you—like other jocks or other Preppies who also don’t understand the otherpeople. It’s also easier to complain when you're complainingto teenagers with similar lifestyles, who can relate to your problems. Some kids are concerned aboutlivingupto their parents’ financial success,getting into an Ivy League schoolandthe costofinstalling a CD playerin their used Audi. Other kids can’t talk to their parents anymore, probably won't graduate from high schooland paid $5 for a car that needs —yme constant upkeep. Twoteens wholive different lives may get along with each other, but their conversation is limited. Maybe as adults it’ll be easier to be friends with some‘one youlike simply as a person. —Anita Barone, 18, Latham, N.Y. I'm just an average kid, but I dated the richest kid in town for five months. I also have friends who havealot less money than I do. Whocares about money? Most kids here choose their friends on the thingsthey should: someone they have fun with, who makes them laugh, whom they can trust. My friendsare drill-teamers, slackers andhighlyintelligent kids. It doesn’t matter whatyour backgroundisracially, culturally or financially. Maybe kids in Edmondare that stuck-up. Kids here in Johnson County, Kan., are not that superficial. Lynne Hermansen, 17, Olathe, Kan. PAGE 26 - SEPTEMBER 13, 1998 - PARADE MAGAZINE |
