Examples Of Struggles In The Outsiders

The Struggles of Teens
The struggles in the book The Outsiders, has problems kids have to face in their real lives in “Alarming Number of Teenagers are Quitting school to go to work”,”Cool at 13, Adrift at 23”, and “A Generation Struggling: Rich Kids Are Losing”. Sodapop and Darry, Ponyboy’s older brother, both give up their education in order to make money for his little brother’s education, and some kids must do this as well for their family. The Socs are the rich kids and cause all kinds trouble wherever they go, just like the rich kids in reality who get into all types of trouble with their seemingly endless supply of money. In real life, kids that are usually related to things like gangs go to dismay later on in life, but Darry was able to experience a normal life while being involved with gangs.

For example,”...my oldest brother, Darrel, who we call Darry, works too long and hard to be interested…(Hinton pg 3.) This quote shows how Darry was able to get a job and has not been directed to a path where he does not work at all. Despite being influenced with his fame in school and the Greasers, Darry was able to get a job and became a vital supporter of his family. In contrast, Kids who are usually on the same path as Darry usually become a mess later in their lives. This is shown through,”Now in their early 20s, many of them have had difficulties with intimate relationships, alcohol and marijuana, and even criminal activity.” This quote proves how the majority of kids with the influence of their popularity affects them in a negative way by outlining the problems these so-called “cool kids” face.” This also shows how these kids surround themselves with extreme troubles due to their failures. In closing, while most kids become what most consider a failure. Darry lifted himself and did not let the influence affect himself too