There are several different ways for children to transition to adulthood. One way is a rite of passage, which we talked about last week during our "Adventure" discussion. Generally speaking, a child leaves the comfort of home and goes out into the wide, undiscovered world. There he learns new things and grows. Upon his return to his home, he is a better person.
Another way does not require a sabbatical, instead the child stays at home. This transition is not marked by a pilgrimage, but rather by added responsibilities. Before, the child was a child, free to play and explore. However, at a certain point, whether through direct or indirect choices of the people around him, the child acquires new duties that he now has to fulfill.
In the clip we watch from The Secret of Roan Inish, we see two children doing daily chores. They help fix the roof and other things. They do not have time to play; they now have "adult" responsibilities they have to complete. This is relatively normal transition for children.
In the short story Vanka, the main character similarly has new jobs and obligations given to him. However, along with these, comes harsh punishment for not fulfilling them. He is not ready for adulthood and longs to be saved by his grandfather.
However, the transition we see in Aruba is not, or at least should not be, the norm. Milan has adulthood thrust upon him in a frightening way. He is bullied at school. His parents do and deal drugs. His father is abusive. Milan comes home from school to find his father choking his mother. Suddenly, Milan feels the need to take upon himself adulthood and take matters into his own hands. He finds his father's gun and leaves it at school. The authorities find it and follow it back to Milan's father. Upon inspecting the home, the police discover drugs and arrest Milan's father. Because of his home life, Milan had to step into adulthood earlier than most children.
The outside world, and even the world inside the home, can be a scary place. It can be full of sadness and despair. While it is important to preserve the innocence and happiness of children, it is also vital to prepare them for real life. Where, when exploring an exciting tunnel, they get bullied instead of finding magical creatures.
Not One Less also tackles a similar subject. When the elementary teacher in a small village has to leave for a month, Wei Minzhi is hired to be the substitute. She is not much older than her students, being only thirteen. She must make the transition to adulthood by taking responsibility for all of these kids, not one less, and making sure they stay in school. With not much of an education herself, Wei Minzhi must maintain order and teach them. She even travels to the city by herself to look for Zhang Huike. However, this part of the film is similar to concepts talked about last week. She leaves the small village, finds Zhang Huike and returns home a changed person and with a reward. Because of the responsibilities she has, she raises above her peers and becomes more of an adult, while the other children remain the same.
Childhood is not all magic and fuzzy creatures. There is disenchantment and and despair. Children need to be able to learn, explore and grow in a safe environment. However, it is also important that they do not enter the world disillusioned. Stories like these can help prepare them.
Another way does not require a sabbatical, instead the child stays at home. This transition is not marked by a pilgrimage, but rather by added responsibilities. Before, the child was a child, free to play and explore. However, at a certain point, whether through direct or indirect choices of the people around him, the child acquires new duties that he now has to fulfill.
In the clip we watch from The Secret of Roan Inish, we see two children doing daily chores. They help fix the roof and other things. They do not have time to play; they now have "adult" responsibilities they have to complete. This is relatively normal transition for children.
In the short story Vanka, the main character similarly has new jobs and obligations given to him. However, along with these, comes harsh punishment for not fulfilling them. He is not ready for adulthood and longs to be saved by his grandfather.
However, the transition we see in Aruba is not, or at least should not be, the norm. Milan has adulthood thrust upon him in a frightening way. He is bullied at school. His parents do and deal drugs. His father is abusive. Milan comes home from school to find his father choking his mother. Suddenly, Milan feels the need to take upon himself adulthood and take matters into his own hands. He finds his father's gun and leaves it at school. The authorities find it and follow it back to Milan's father. Upon inspecting the home, the police discover drugs and arrest Milan's father. Because of his home life, Milan had to step into adulthood earlier than most children.
The outside world, and even the world inside the home, can be a scary place. It can be full of sadness and despair. While it is important to preserve the innocence and happiness of children, it is also vital to prepare them for real life. Where, when exploring an exciting tunnel, they get bullied instead of finding magical creatures.
Not One Less also tackles a similar subject. When the elementary teacher in a small village has to leave for a month, Wei Minzhi is hired to be the substitute. She is not much older than her students, being only thirteen. She must make the transition to adulthood by taking responsibility for all of these kids, not one less, and making sure they stay in school. With not much of an education herself, Wei Minzhi must maintain order and teach them. She even travels to the city by herself to look for Zhang Huike. However, this part of the film is similar to concepts talked about last week. She leaves the small village, finds Zhang Huike and returns home a changed person and with a reward. Because of the responsibilities she has, she raises above her peers and becomes more of an adult, while the other children remain the same.
Childhood is not all magic and fuzzy creatures. There is disenchantment and and despair. Children need to be able to learn, explore and grow in a safe environment. However, it is also important that they do not enter the world disillusioned. Stories like these can help prepare them.
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