PAC

Priscilla Carlson

Section 06

10/2/07

Effect

Curfew

            Have I ever been denied to do something because of my gender? I have. We all have at one time or another. Whenever I’m denied something I just keep thinking, why? I know the world has worse problems then this; but everyone in the world should realize that girls and guys can both protect themselves, and do the same things. I am going to tell about, an event that happen to my friend Alyssa and I.

In tenth grade, Alyssa and I were extremely close. We were so close that we should’ve been sisters. We would laugh and have a great time together.

            One Friday night in tenth grade, Alyssa and I planned to have a great night. Our plans were to go to the Slight Like December concert and hang with bunch of our friends there, and then go to Justin’s house. We were excited to do all those things and have a great time.

            Who is Justin? Justin is one of my great friends. He is a guy friend that every girl wishes to have. He is the friend that my parents favor, and let me to stay out with him. My parents trusted Justin, and believe that I would be safe as long as I am with him.

            That night I was spending the night at Alyssa’s house, and our curfew was at midnight. We started our night at the concert, which was a blast! We were all dancing, and enjoying the music by the local band of
Duluth. It was crazy their. There were tons of people at Pizza Luca’s. After the concert, all of our friends went to Justin’s house and watch some movies. It was a blast. We watched some horror movies, and had some snacks. During the movies we had some great laughs from Justin’s friend Bryan “the comedian.” This guy is hilarious. He was acting out the movies that we watched, but not like the movies did. We were having such a great time. Then Alyssa and I had to tell everyone that we had to leave, because of our curfew. Justin was sad that we had to leave. He told us that we should stay longer next time.

            When Alyssa and I got to her house it was 12:05a.m. We were late for our curfew that night. Alyssa’s dad, Steve, was in the living room waiting for us. He got really upset because we were five minutes late, which I thought wasn’t really a big deal. Alyssa and Steve started to have an argument about the curfew deal. He told her that she has a curfew that she needs to obey. I understand that he is looking after her, but we were only five minutes late. Then Alyssa mentions to her dad that her older brother, Aaron, stays out to weird hours of the night. Which Aaron is only seventeen. Her dad said to Alyssa, “It’s different with him.” Alyssa asked, “Why is it different with Aaron?” Her dad said, “Because he is a guy.” Which I didn’t think was a good enough reason. Just because he is guy, he can stay out later. Girls can do the same thing guys can. We can protect ourselves, but guys don’t get taken advantage. I understand that Alyssa and I never took any self defense classes, but if we get stuck in a situation the best thing is to walk away. I understand that her dad just want us to be safe, but Aaron should be home when Alyssa has to. It would just be fair to everyone. Everyone should treat both genders the same. After Alyssa’s dad said that to Alyssa; she just walked away and went to her room, and I followed.

Alyssa was extremely mad about that whole situation. Alyssa knows that her dad was trying to protect her. She just doesn’t understand why her brother gets to stay out and she can’t. She understands the guys in the house have more power, because they can protect themselves. Alyssa believes that they can protect themselves, she just wishes that her dad was fair between her and Aaron. She wishes that they both had the same curfew.

That was one event that affects my life. I felt sorry for Alyssa how she had to deal with different genders in her own household. I felt bad how her brother could do more than she could. I know the world has worse problems then this; but everyone in the world should realize that girls and guys can both protect themselves, and do the same things.