Normally when we think of domestic violence, we think of adult women being battered by their male lovers. How many of us think of our teens being in abusive relationships? My hand was down until two years ago. But a shocking up close and personal reality opened my eyes to this growing problem.
Puppy love is supposed to be a sweet emotion for teens. For the first time they 'love' someone other than mommy, daddy, family, and friends. They experience a different emotion and feelings for someone they envision being the greatest person to ever walk the Earth.
So, what happens when that person hits them? Degrades them? What about raping them?
You think it can't happen? You want to believe it doesn't happen? I'm here to tell you it does. I loosely based my short story, "Silent Cries" on a true event that happened to someone near and dear to my heart. She was fifteen when the verbal abuse began; maybe 16 the first time he hit her; and seventeen when she finally broke up with him only to have him rape her a few months later. I KNOW it happens. My question is this: What do we as adults do to stop/prevent it from happening?
"Silent Cries" is featured in the upcoming anthology Somebody Prayed for Me, written by authors Allyson M. Deese, Tinisha Nicole Johnson, and Linda R. Herman. The book releases December 2, 2008, from Xpress Yourself Publishing, www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org.
4 comments:
I feel as adults we need to reinforce what's healthy and what's not healthy as far as relationships go. A lot of times because teens are so young when they find themselves in these relationships they don't always know what to look out for. Another thing is we have to make sure what they're seeing in our relationships are healthy. There is no way we can reinforce the right thing if we're not setting that example first. We can't expect them to go out and seek a positive relationship with someone if they see us getting our behinds beat everyday. I think the biggest thing we can do is lead by example.
Girl, I am amazed at these teen relationships. Granted I've never experienced it personally, my kids are 5 and 6 but I do watch Lifetime *giggle* and I do believe that it happens. To many parents are too "busy" to parent and let their kids handle things on their own because it's easier to say yes than no. So girls are going out on dates younger and younger. I already said, my daughter will NOT be allowed to go to the mall alone with her friends until she is at least 16!! I see 13 and 14 year olds wandering around, face full of makeup, jeans tighter than mine. Oh NO, not on my watch! LOL!
D.L.Sparks, Author of ALL THAT GLITTERS
What’s Going On?
Written by Janice Reaves
What’s going on with our youth of today? So out of control in every way, Refusing to be lead by Gods truth & love, instead their choosing the devils wicked path which is leading them to hatred, death, and self destruction. The killing, the stealing, and the blatant disrespect, has the devil laughing, while adding souls to his victory and I granruntee you his feeling no regrets. Young hearts callously hardened by the viscous name calling;excuse me if I say hoes, bitches, sluts just to name a few. Oh yeah! Calling each other nigga’s as if it was cool and the thang to do, inspit of what all our forefathers went through, young ones, peep this! Life and death are spoken from the tongue so what you speck according to proverbs verse 18-21 you surely will become. What’s going on today? Speak life! A gift given to all by God at birth never dwell on your circumstance it could always be worst so don't be confused by the devils slick moves remember his job is to derail you, from fullfilling your true prepose here on earth.
What's going on? Speck life over your children your Mother your Father stop the endless head count of our babies useless slaughter, and all because of the mere words of death spoken from the thong. Young one's think of all as one no matter what color no matter where you come from. What’s going one? Young ones speak life please!
Truly inspiring feedback! Thank you all for coming by my blog.
My younger cousin's rape didn't hit close to home-it blew the roof off the house!
"Silent Cries" is her story and I am giving her 50 copies of this book to sell for her profit. She's a college student now and can use the money! Besides, I love that young lady as if she's my own child. She's just that kind of angel!
Linda R. Herman, www.lindarherman.com
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