Why is it that our society is so obsessed with independence? Kids my age- who are making decisions about college- are encouraged to follow their hearts, do what's best for only theirselves, and not let any other factors get in the way.
Is this representative of real life? Does it make sense to be encouraged to not let anything restrict you, with a result of being in limbo after college because you don't have anything to tie you down? Isn't the whole point of education and college to prepare you for life, not for some dream world where the best thing to do is always whatever suits you best?
When I tell anyone, even my parents, that I want to go to college near my boyfriend, I'm reprimanded. I shouldn't let any other factors get in the way of my decision. From society's point of view, it's almost unacceptable to be in a commited relationship at the age of 17. Early adulthood is about "finding" yourself, which you can't do if you're tied down.
David Brooks, a New York Times journalist, said that "life isn't about finding yourself, it's about losing yourself." This statement, which is so controversial to popular belief, really rings true for me. If you focus only on yourself, cutting off all "restrictions", you don't really get anywhere. However, if you let go of this self-centeredness and put yourself into caring for others, you might just (as C.S. Lewis might say) get "finding" yourself thrown in.
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