I chose to interview my stepfather, Jose, on what his life was like when he was eighteen years old. He experienced his teen years in a small town in Spain called Cuenca, and I felt like his story would describe a unique experience that could expand how we view life from an 18 year-olds perspective. The interview started off covering the basics such as what he did for fun, what was in style, and who he idolized. To pass time he would go the “La Plaza Mayor” and drink cheap beers with his buddies (which was legal because in Spain the drinking age is 18), he would also listen to music and read. Jose Idolized U2, bands form the north of Spain, The Cure, several writers, and movie the director Stanley Kubrik. When it came to what was “in” during the late 80s it was U2, Punk Rock, Spanish Rock, Indie movies, Jeans and Chuck Taylor’s, Leather jackets, and either long or spikey hair all made the cut. Each caught his attention because of how “new and unusual” they were. Shifting the interview to a more serious note, I questioned him about what were his biggest concerns and what he had in mind when it came to his goals and finding a job. At, 18 he was in law school, but the biggest concern that he could recall was finding a girlfriend, since he already had a job. His goals for the most part consisted of reading, traveling, and having fun. The future to him wasn’t much of a main focus. However, when talking about school and the career he was pursuing as a lawyer, he brought up the fact that he went into this field because it’s what his family wanted for him. Further along the line he met someone who was very clear about their dreams and what they wanted in life, which in turn made him realize how his life didn’t have a clear focus. He needed to find something that would motivate him to be driven and successful. When it came to moments or mistakes that he regretted the most, chasing a career he had no interest in was definitely the most significant.When asked about moments he would re-live as an 18 year-old there weren’t any because his teenage years weren’t very enjoyable within the small town he lived in. I then went on to ask whether the older generations “frowned upon” his developing generation as grew into adulthood. Without hesitation Jose answered yes, and went on to explain how his generation was judged for their clothing, hair, political views, and taste in music. Then the question of whether or not he can relate to what it’s like to be 18 in America now or is the reality way too different came up. He said he can relate to the “angst” we deal with, such as the fear of the future and not knowing what to expect or how to deal with, however our reality is way different. He considers our 18 year-old experience harder to deal with. According to Jose, our generation of young adults experiences very little face time with one another and we are tormented by the societal pressures around us, we have to try way harder to find and create privacy for ourselves, unlike any generation before.
