Teenage Smoking and Its Impact: A Personal Reflection

Recalling my teenage years, smoking was something that played a significant role, especially with my grandfather, who started smoking at the tender age of 12 in the 1950s. Growing up in an era when smoking was not only common but almost normalized, my grandfather's experience highlights how societal norms have evolved over the decades. Despite his lifelong habit, he only succumbed to ischemia at 50, vividly illustrating the different attitudes towards smoking today compared to that time period.

When Parents Smoked: A Common Household Habit

My own experiences with smoking began when my friend was 15 and inadvertently caught my father when he caught me smoking one of my mother's Salem cigarettes. This unexpected discovery led to an interesting conversation, as my father, much to my surprise, showed no disapproval and even occasionally purchased cigarettes for me. The fact that their smoking was not an issue for my father underscores the varying perceptions of smoking in different generations.

Exploring Teenage Smoking: A Personal Journey

When I was 16, my mother gave me a cigarette while she ran into a grocery store for more. Fueled by excitement, I took a couple of drags, marking a significant moment in my youth. However, my teenage years were not just defined by smoking as I also crossdressed. My parents, realizing that I couldn't stop, eventually gave up on trying to make me stop, even after turning 14. This experience further emphasizes the challenges and complexities of teenage behavior, including experimenting with various aspects of identity.

Facing Social Norms as a Teenager

The influence of my parents, both of whom smoked, was evident in my own behavior. They allowed me to smoke when I had a job, an event that led to a heated confrontation at 16 when I lit up a Belair cigarette at the kitchen table after working as a dishwasher at a sandwich shop. This incident highlighted the shift in societal norms regarding such behavior, especially in younger generations.

Conclusion

Experiencing teenage smoking and crossdressing firsthand, both influenced by the actions of smoking parents, has provided a unique insight into this period of life. The normalization of smoking and other behaviors in the 1950s and how it contrasts with current societal attitudes offers a compelling narrative of how society evolves over the years. These experiences not only shape personal identity but also provide a lens through which we can understand broader social changes.