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If I Never Grow Up Research Paper

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Have you ever had to choose between two things that left you family at risk? Well in the book, If I Never Grow Up is about a boy who grows up in Frederick Douglas. This is a place where there is gang violence, kids dropping out of school and drugs. DeShawn, the boy has a decision to make either to join the gang or stay in school. DeShawn is being pressured into joining the gang by his friends. Were, as DeShawn has no money for his family or himself. DeShawn felt he had no choice to join the gang because his family was starving. I believe DeShawn had a chose to join the gang by getting a different job to pay for the supplies they need, DeShawn could have listened to all of the people who gave him advice on staying away from all the gangs, and finally DeShawn could have chosen education of the gang.
Some may claim that DeShawn didn't have a choice join the gang because DeShawn and his family not having any money. However, DeShawn did have a choice to join the gang by taking the opportunities he had received to move away from Fredrick Douglas. On page 181 it states, “When the time is right, we could mover you, your grandma, sister, and those kids some new place”
For instance DeShawn had a choice to join the gang by getting a different job to help get money. On page 148, Terrell says, “ How long have you been …show more content…

Furthermore DeShawn had a choice to join the gang because he could have listened to his friends and teachers. On page 215 DeShawn says, “Do I wish I’d listened to Mr. Brand and my other teachers and done things differently? Darn right, I do.” On page 181 Mr. Patterson says, “ That’s what you're offering me? A fresh start?” These quotes show that DeShawn wished he would have listened to the advice his friends and people around him gave him. These people offered DeShawn a new start, a better life. He didn’t have to join the gang to have a better

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