By Isabella Capulong
As children grow older, many begin to feel a quiet but persistent worry about the changes ahead and the responsibilities that come with them. What once felt simple, like school, friendships, and daily routines that gradually becomes more complex as expectations increase. Kids may find themselves anxious about making the right choices, meeting academic or family expectations, and figuring out who they want to become. The idea of growing up can feel overwhelming, as it often means taking on new duties, becoming more independent, and facing consequences for their actions. At the same time, there can be a fear of losing the comfort and security of childhood. These worries are a natural part of development, reflecting a growing awareness of the world and one’s place in it. Even as children learn to balance responsibility with the desire to still feel young and carefree. There are a few freshmen and seniors that have been asked this question and most of them have similar answers.
Riley Brown states that he is scared of, “Not being able to get back the time wasted along with more responsibilities, like money, care for self, living situations, etc”.
Jaylynn Sprio-Schodorf says that she’s scared of, “Financials and finding a job and mostly responsibilities that have to do with money”.
When Nicholas Birchman was asked the prompted question, he exclaimed, “You’re never going to relive your age and living experience being this age again, and so many regrets you will have and time wasted so live life”.
Mia Beltran, a freshman from Benicia High school states that when she grows up she is scared of “Losing the things I have when I was younger and all the kid toys, playgrounds. along with more responsibilities and having to earn money”.
Dayton Moreno remarked that he is afraid of “Being a bum and not having enough money for my future and my parents and siblings being gone before me and me having to be alone. and not going to college and having a job that doesn’t have enough money” when he grows up.
Those are some of the freshmen who give their opinion on growing up and what they’re scared of. However this further pushed the question of if it’s any different from seniors. Or are all highschoolers still scared of the same things?
Aj Cabral, a senior at Benicia High school articulated the following statement,“I’m scared of leaving family and losing contact with friends and coming back to Benicia and having it not be the same” when he grows up.
Blake Matteson shared that “I am scared of taxes and being not in the same house as my family and moving away from them and having to meet new people and not have my childhood friends”.
Will Fade, a senior at Benicia highschool, was asked the same question, while thinking about the question he voiced a new fear, “I’m scared of taxes and paying bills along with leaving family” as he prepares to gear up for adulthood.
Marco Soto is also a Senior, as he was asked the question he answers with “I’m scared of having more responsibilities and starting my family too early and having to provide for myself more”.
As Cameron Holden thinks about this question for a while, he summarizes his final answer to being afraid of, “losing contact with friends and being away from family” when he grows up and how life may be after college.
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