Despite how it may seem, living in a third-world country with limited opportunities for success did have its moments. Moving from Jamaica, the country to Jamaica, New York is ironic; each place is similar to the other in two ways: both are chaotic and clustered.
To this day, people still ask me what it’s like living in the United States. My answer will always remain the same: “It’s okay, I guess.” I’ve never really had a more enthusiastic answer; my feelings about moving here were bland, and they still are.
If I were still living in Jamaica, half the things I’ve accomplished here would have been impossible back home. Learning while earning money is something people my age dream about, especially girls. There are limited education and job opportunities for them, so they turn to the best solution they know – getting pregnant. In Jamaica, there is a stereotype about young women my age; they are said to finish high school (or not even to graduate!) and get pregnant by older men, men old enough to be their own fathers. These girls look to older men as an escape out of poverty.
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My best friend Tasana, 22, is currently dating a 45-year-old man and is completely happy. He asked her to move in with him, but she refused to do so, since she is not completely ready for that responsibility and life. My other friend Tasia, on the other hand, is 21 and is currently dating a 49-year-old man with whom she’s in love. She has her own apartment, and he visits her there while she plays the wife role. Bear in mind that he is already married with kids.
Your story on life in Jamaica is honestly specifically interesting to me because I have a friend my age who has recently had a baby by a man who can be my grandpa. It would be nice if you included just like a snapshot of your friends lives and why they genuinely make the choices they do. I always wondered why my friend like older older men and while she just always told me it’s what she is attracted to I always thought maybe it has to do with her culture and where she is from (Dominican Republic). It would be interesting to see the similarities.