September 27, 2005
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TEEN POVERTY IN AMERICA
Have you seen the teenagers hanging out at our malls? It’s apparent that many teenagers in America today must be living in poverty.
Most young men don’t even own a belt. The sad part is they seem to be wearing hand-me-down pants so big and baggy that their underwear is exposed.
But now, the saddest part….. it is the girls that really disturb me. I’ve never, in all of my life, seen such poor young girls.
Their jeans are about 5 sizes too small! They must not have gotten new clothes since they were little. I don’t know how they can still put them on, let alone button them up. Their jeans barely go over their hipbones and most have on a top that hardly covers their midsections. Oh, they seem to hold their heads up with pride, but it’s a sad sight to see these almost grown women wearing children’s clothes.
However, it’s their underwear that bothers me. Because their clothes didn’t fit, their underwear is exposed and it looks like their underwear is held together by a single piece of string.
In a modern, affluent society like America, why are there people who can’t afford a decent pair of pants? I’m thinking about asking my church to start a drive for “poor kids at the mall.” Then on Christmas Eve, we could go Christmas caroling and distribute clothing to these poor teenagers.
While I go to bed every night with a closet full of clothes, there are millions of “mall teens” who who are in need. Is this why these young people gather at the mall? Is the mall the one place where they can find acceptance?
The next time you are shopping, and you pass by some of these poor teenagers, would you say a prayer for them? Pray the boys’ pants won’t fall down, and girls’ strings won’t break!
Comments (1)
It’s a credit to these youngsters if they don’t turn to crime, Paul.