Ahh…the story of star crossed lovers…a young man and a young woman…madly in love against all odds. Their love was in spite of the protests of their families and faced certain destruction. So romantic don’t ya think? It is a classic story read by almost every high school and college literature class available. So, if we were to imagine a young couple in the same type of situation in today’s world…what would it look like?
In my mind’s eye, it would somewhat resemble the young michigan couple who recently made news headlines by confiscating the young man’s family minivan, taking approximately $680.00 and the family dog.
The young man all of 15 years old and the proud owner of a learner’s permit and the young lady a 13 year old with a medical condition that required daily medication took off.
They were in love. They were forbidden to see each other from the news reports. The parents set boundaries that they thought were in the young couple’s best interests. Working with what sounds like an ongoing relationship with a counselor…they were offering a proposition of working towards reunifying the couple as time went on and the maturity levels warranted.
It sounds logical. The young lady’s mother said on a news program that the family considered their daughter’s feelings toward the young man as bordering on an obsession. As a parent, i can understand the family’s concerns; and, it sounds as if they were working with professional help towards a compromise.
None of us surely know the full story. I am sure each person involved has their own version of how the events unfolded. Most of us can understand the teen’s desire to pursue their own freedom and choices. Most of us who are past the age of 20 can also understand the need for parental caution, guidance and limitations.
We have to remember that this is a real life drama unfolding in two families. Relationships can either be strengthened or destroyed depending on how this whole situation is resolved.
Where does this leave the young couple physically, emotionally, socially and legally. Are they romantic hero’s in their community to the masses of teenagers who dream of being in control of their lives?
Emotionally, where do you go from here. Two young people who have a strong desire to be a couple. Their ages are a huge concern. While they were gone…traveling past one state border after another…..did their relationship become intimate and if it did…where will it leave the young man legally? Could he be prosecuted for statutory rape?
Will he pay a price legally for traveling across state borders to have a physical relationship with an underage girl? Will he (if the relationship was consummated) be branded a sexual offender for the rest of his life? What if they did take their relationship to a physical level…what if there is a pregnancy? If there is a pregnancy; how will this impact the girl physically and emotionally?
She is on medication for a serious health condition. She is too young to raise a child on her own. If her young man goes into the legal system and she has to make grown up decisions regarding a pregnancy; how will she do that? Who will she turn to for support…the very family she ran away from? The seperation that was forced upon them by their parents will only deepen because of the legal situation they now will find themselves in. The courts will be in control of their lives instead of just their parents. These are real concerns that they both could face..things they didn’t have the life experience to understand.
Driving without an adult when you only have a learner’s permit could impact his ability to get a license when he would otherwise normally be allowed to do so. Taking a vehicle without permission and going across state lines is a felony i believe. Can he be charged with that even if his parents don’t press charges?
We are talking serious long lasting consequences from this couple’s desire to be together. How do we feel about that as a society?
It makes it very confusing to sort out what you would find romantic or entertaining in literature; but, have very real concerns about in real life regarding our young people today. Hopefully, with professional and emotional help, as well as, community support; these two young people and their families can find a way to repair the damage that has been done.
As a side note, I have moved my blog to a new Url: WriteWhereYouAre if you are interested in reading more of my blog posts!
Write where you are 
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