At 12, I first experienced Stand By Me on VHS with my best friend. I was captivated by the boys’ understanding of life, and let’s be honest: River Phoenix was undeniably charming. The film was a mix of drama, angst, and nostalgia, not to mention the unforgettable barf scene that became iconic for Generation X. Fast forward 30 years (can you believe it?), and I recently viewed it again with my son. This time, I found myself wearing a puzzled expression, asking, where were the parents of these kids?
While I can excuse Gordie’s parents, who were consumed by grief over losing Denny, and acknowledge that Chris and Teddy’s fathers were less than stable, what about Vern? He seemed to come from a relatively normal household. At the very least, where was Mrs. Tessio when Vern dashed out the door? Couldn’t she have packed some sandwiches for the boys?
Beyond the boys and their families, where were the adults in Castle Rock? The shopkeepers? The townspeople? Aside from a few flashbacks and an irate junkyard owner, the town felt like it was run by children, with Ace Merrill acting as the de facto authority figure.
Let’s break it down.
A Two-Day Trip in the Woods with Just $0.09 for Food
In today’s world of hyper-involved parents, four 12-year-olds wandering the woods with less than a quarter would raise serious concerns and likely involve Child Protective Services. Ray Brower is missing, presumed dead, and yet no one seems worried that their kids aren’t safe at home. Mr. and Mrs. Tessio, what were you thinking?
Mailbox Baseball
Watching Ace smash mailboxes was thrilling as a kid, but now, as an adult aware of the costs involved, it’s just distressing. Poor Castle Rock’s postal workers must have had a tough time with those hooligans on the loose. Someone should have called the authorities.
Bullying
Every other scene showcases boys physically bullying one another. The town appears to be under siege by a group of teens determined to terrorize the younger kids. When Ace knocks Chris to the ground, where is the adult intervention? It’s as if the grown-ups are absent, leaving Ace and his friends to impose their own brand of justice.
Dangerous Activities
An alarming realization I had as an adult is that these kids were engaging in reckless behavior. Ace and his crew carved tattoos into themselves with unclean razors, while Gordie and his friends risked serious health issues from leeches. And Ace casually wielded a switchblade—definitely not safe. The adults in Castle Rock have failed to protect this generation.
When I first watched Stand By Me, I wondered if I’d ever create my own unforgettable stories. I also wished for a chance to date Wil Wheaton. Now, with my own memories from college and clandestine adventures my parents don’t know about, I reflect on the simplicity of my youth. I miss watching movies as a nostalgic teen instead of a parent concerned with rules.
Ultimately, I realize that the friendships I had at 12 are rare to find as an adult. Does anyone truly experience that kind of bond anymore?
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Summary:
In Stand By Me, the absence of parental supervision raises questions about the safety and well-being of the children. As I revisited the film with a more mature perspective, I recognized the alarming lack of adult intervention in the boys’ reckless adventures. Nostalgia mingles with concern as I reflect on friendships and childhood experiences that seem harder to find in adulthood.
Keyphrase: Where were the adults in Stand By Me
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