Are kids allowed to be kids in 2024? 

By: Maysa Loper 

May 4, 2024

Teenagers all around the city have recently said they are struggling with personal safety and the threat of constant violence after a string of violent crimes have left many feeling on edge. It’s a problem, teenagers express, that has impacted their personal relationships and mental health as the school year comes to a close. 

10th grader Javon Jenkins shares the negative impact outside has on many teenagers in the city. He shares the nerves he feels and why it's important to be cautious. 

Javon Jenkins who came into contact with gun violence doesn't believe kids around the city can be kids. Javon believes kids can’t even go outside, enjoy themselves, and have fun because anything can uproar at any giving moment.

“Sometimes going outside does make me nervous because when others are outside they are just thinking about themselves and not the people around them, so yes it does make me more cautious than what I used to be because others’ actions can affect others' life for a lifetime”


10th grader Nia Pettwigrew who attends Caver expresses how the violence constantly makes her question the friends and relationships she has built with others.


“You have to watch who you call your friends and who you hang out with because you never know if your friends are into gun violence or any type of violence. I know what friends to go outside and hang out with but I know what friends I wouldn’t go outside with because I don't want to put my life in danger” 

Office Greg has become overprotective of his family due to the world becoming a hateful place over the years where individuals are just shooting/killing others for no given reason. 


“With the job, I work (being security) and also being a dad, the time when I was growing up and now has changed. I want my kids to be able to go outside, hang out with friends, and enjoy being teenagers but violence cases increase each day and I don’t want none of my kids to be other dead bodies on everyone’s TV screen.”


Nia believes violence around the neighborhoods doesn't have a chance for change. Everyone is their own person and responsible for their own actions. 


“If you take away guns, knives, or anything that can hurt the opposite person, it is not going to prevent people from committing crimes because they are always going to find other ways to hurt others, which can be fighting. I believe if we had older adults that will take time out their day to understand why people commit crimes and act we violence can help others and the community,” said Nia

This is the Park in North Philly that some shooting are bound to happen. 

The more shootings communities continue to have the more, neighborhoods, friendships, and relationships that are going to be affected. 


“While the gun violence crisis is affecting most of the city, some of our neighborhoods are getting the brunt of it. It's just not the victims that are hurt, it's the entire neighborhoods that are hurt," said therapist Akea Williams.”


In the 16-year-old neighborhood has effectively seen multiple shootings. The shootings in his neighborhood cause young teens to always have to watch their surroundings and also pay close attention to their peers.  

Javon Jenkins who did experience some trauma wanna add a little more advice that can help others avoid getting caught in violence. 


“For anyone who had experience like I had or just in general make sure you are always aware of your surroundings, make sure you are keeping your head up. You're not on your phone 24/7 with music blasting in your ears. Also, you're hanging around the right people, because yes you can have friends that commit crimes/violence around you, and just because you didn't help or you weren’t involved you are still guilty by association”.