rIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS
... I didn’t want him to see me how I saw my mother” (P136). Since Bev’s mother allowed her dad to “wear the pants in the family” (P25) and had no education to support herself, Beverly had little respect for her growing up and doesn’t want Jason to feel the same way about his mother. This reveals that Bev is becoming more mature because she is thinking independently from what her mother believes. Despite the fact she is only seventeen years old, Bev wants to escape the stereotype of the housewife so her son will respect her more. Without even realizing it, Jason allows Beverly to completely change her attitude about education, by encouraging her be more independent-minded from her traditional family roles. Jason becoming Beverly’s new family forces her to serve as a role-model figure. Even during her pregnancy, Bev demonstrates that she is a very irresponsible young woman. At a party hosted by her friend Virginia, Bev says “ After my third rum and Coke, I lifted up my shirt in the kitchen to show off my belly. Then I got drunk and forgot myself. I danced the Jerk and I forgot all about the umbilical cord and fetus strangulation and that I was even pregnant” (P57). This clearly shows that Beverly is an irresponsible mother because not only is she drunk while pregnant, but she blocks out the fact that she is carrying a child because she is too absorbed in her own desire to have a good time. This self-centeredness is so strong, that she is putting her unborn child’s life at risk because she has “forgot” about the dangers she is imposing. It takes Beverly an arrest and suicide attempt to realize that she has a drug problem, and eventually goes to a psychiatrist. She feels very guilty for what her problem has done to her son and says “I told her I was afraid I didn’t love Jason” (P139) but the psychiatrist says that she “was sure I did. That’s why I was there”. Taking the first step to go get help is the most difficult and Bev proves that she is now taking responsibility for her own actions instead of blaming others. This shows Bev’s increasing maturity because even though drugs were her pleasure, she voluntarily gives her habit up to be a responsible figure for her son to look up to. She wants to be a good role model for her son by being responsible, because young children learn by example. Jason forces Beverly into a role-model position, where she matures into a more responsible young woman. Jason also helps in the developing maturity of his young mother by giving her the strength to walk away from his terrible father Raymond. When they meet at the party, Raymond tells Beverly about his family life and Bev responds by “ Raymond was a high-school dropout, his brother was a thief in jail, and he father was a Bowery bum. He needed me. More than anything else in the world I wanted Raymond to cry on my shoulder” (P29). Bev clearly feels sorry for him, as comments to Fay that night are all on the lines of “Oh Poor Raymond” (P30). After they are married, Beverly and Raymond fight constantly, and he is always trying to get her pity by saying things like “I’m a loser. I’m no good. I wouldn’t blame you if you divorced me” (P87). Beverly finally gets sick of putting up with Ray spending their money on drugs and refusing to work, s...