One working-class mother took action when she found out that her fifteen year old daughter, was in a sexual.
relationship with a nineteen year old young man. The mother was not aware of the relationship and found out by finding a letter. She beat her daughter and reported her to juvenile authorities. As for the young man she had him arrested for statutory rape. Many parents also turned to the court when their daughters got pregnant. What parents feared the most was the humiliation and disadvantages their daughter would have to go through as an unmarried mother. Mrs. Alvarez found out that her daughter was pregnant. The young man that got her daughter pregnant did not want to marry. Alvarez felt as if she had no choice but to have the young man arrested. Numerous young women ran away from home during this period. Parents became very strict and there were always arguments. Arguments were usually about how late they were out, where they were going, or about a boy they were not aloud to date. .
The attitudes of young women towards sex changed dramatically. Some were experiencing intercourse not because they wanted to get married, but simply for pleasure and adventure. Others exchanged their sexuality for evenings of entertainment, a meal, and a ticket to an amusement park. These girls felt that they had to repay these men, for what they had done for them by using their bodies. .
Working-class teenage girls experienced many different things during this period. Many had to rebel, due to the fact that their parents had become so strict. Some ran away, and others went ahead and started an intimate relationship, hoping that their parents would not find out. As for the parents they had no choice but to protect their daughters, even if it meant having to turn to the courts. .
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We are told that we are free. We are also made to believe that we can believe and do anything we want whenever we want.
