In the short story, Where Are You Going Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oats, Connie has one foot in the adult world and one foot still in childhood. Connie wants to be treated like an adult and have the privileges of an adult, but she still wants the benefits of being able to be carefree. Connie's home life establishes why she is like this. First, Connie's mother is always on Connie's back nagging; comparing her to her older sister June who is twenty-four and still living at home. Connie's mother seems to always have a snide remark towards Connie, "Why don't you keep your room clean like your sister? How've you got your hair fixed- What the hell stinks? Hair Spray? You don't see your sister using that junk" (Lawn 406). Connie seems to be in the shadow of her sister, as if she can never satisfy her mother.
             Connie is too young and innocent to realize she is putting herself in danger. "Walking around that shopping plaza in their shorts and flat ballerina slippers that always scuffed the sidewalk, with charm bracelets jingling on their thin wrists; they would lean together to whisper and laugh secretly if someone passes by who amused or interested them" (Lawn 407). Never once did she think her childish ways of flirting were going to get her into trouble. She wants the freedom that older kids have but it comes at an expense. Connie thinks she is full-fledged going to the drive in restaurant by the way she dresses and acts but little does she know it is going to get her in trouble and trouble she can't handle. She dresses scantily giving off this image of being promiscuous, which guys are looking to take advantage of. When Arnold Friend at the restaurant looked at her and said, "Gonna get you, baby" (Lawn 408). She was tantalized by his good looks; she smiles but doesn't realize she could be getting herself into a dilemma. Her childish naive mind ne...