The Age of Love

They say that age is just a number. That seems to apply for many things. Love seems to apply to that saying as well. But it is right or wrong? It depends on whose eyes that look into. Most say that it a sin. Some say that it is right. How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel plays on heavily this question. Uncle Peck lusts after Lil’ Bit all through her childhood. She is only a child, but her uncle still wants her so badly. Almost everyone hates pedophiles. Even people in prison hate pedophiles. But is it really that bad or just some harmless fun? The only way to find is to take a good look at the play and the subject of pedophilia.

The play is set in the 60’s. A young girl, Lil’ Bit, lives in the country with her mother, aunt, grandfather, grandmother, and Uncle Peck. They are a messed up bunch to the naked eye. Her mother was a teenage parent. Her grandmother was a religious child bride. Her grandfather was a sexist bigoted jerk. Her aunt turns a blind eye to her husband’s lecherous actions. Uncle Peck is recovering from alcohol and is lusting after Lil’ Bit. He really does see her as a lolita. He uses driving lessons to take advantage of the young girl. Throughout her life, Uncle Peck tries many things to try and have his way with Lil’ Bit. At one point of the play, he uses his amateur photo studio to take pornographic pictures of her. His niece hates his behavior, but she puts up with his behavior because Uncle Peck is the only one in family that is nice to her and supports her decision to go to college. Lil’ Bit’s mother and aunt know about what is going on, but they do nothing about it. Pedophilia is usually under the rug because the children are usually scared into doing what the monster wants them to do. The mother and aunt do not want a scandal in the family so they keep quiet and turn a blind eye to the truth. They may think that they are doing Lil’ Bit good, but she will be subjected to more mental and social problems later in life.

Most people hate pedophiles. They are at the bottom of the totem pole in the criminal world. Even the toughest criminals in prison hate pedophiles with a passion and abuse them. Why? Children are the most defenseless victim in the world. They cannot fight back, run away, or cry for help. Children are weak and sitting little ducks. Pedophiles take advantage of this and manipulate the children into sexual situations where they cannot back out of if they could. But why do pedophiles exist in the first place? The most common case is abuse. These monsters are abused when they are young and learn from the behavior of the abused. Thus keeping the endless vicious cycle going forever and forever until someone finally stands up and puts an end to it.

Pedophilia is a sick disease. Everyone loses in the end. The children are the biggest victims in this case. How I Learned to Drive shows the truth of a monster’s nature with his prey. Lil’ Bit is lucky to rise above and break away before things could get any worse. Most children do not. Pedophilia is a sickness that needs to be destroyed before it is too late.