During the years of adolescence, one goes through a time of confusion. It's a transition between youth and adulthood, when one can try new things and is still able to blame his or her actions on undeveloped conscience. Teenagers often get caught up in a state of curiosity where finding themselves becomes inevitable. In Joyce Carol Oates" short story, "Where are you going, Where have you been?" a teenage girl, Connie, is filled with many mixed feelings. Her confused feelings are based on the fact that she wants to be rebellious and free but at the same time she wants security with her family.
Connie and her mother argue throughout the story. Connie's mother would act as if she liked her sister better. Connie tried hard to look her best and get her mothers approval but she would find her mother asking, "Why don"t you keep your room clean like your sister? How do you got your hair fixed-what the hell stinks? Hair spray? You don"t see your sister using that junk?" Connie is a young girl who is going through a point in her life where she felt that her mother did not understand her.
Connie wanted her family to view her as a sweet and innocent little girl. However, in reality she was growing up and no one could stop her. Connie would "dress one way when she was at home and another way when she was out with her friends." Her home represented her child life and this is why she dressed innocently there. She changed when she went outside because it represented adulthood. At home she felt secured by her family and going out at night gave her a chance to be rebellious.
Connie's most important decision was to decide if she wanted to grow up right away or stay a child for as long as possible. She knew if she grew up, she would follow in her mother's footsteps. Her mom is not very pretty now but at one time she was beautiful like Connie. Since Connie thought beauty was everything and she did not want to lose that like her mother did.