A declaration of non-monogamy from a girl about to turn 13!

[purplerabbit]

This is a letter I wrote a boy on Feb. 4, 1975. He had asked me to "go steady" with him:

Dear Mark,

I have called you my friend. But I have not before now admitted that I consider you closer than that. I have no word for it. But others have given their own name to it, boyfriend.

In answer to your question, I say no. Not because I do not like you, but for other reasons. To be honest, I am afraid. Afraid of what? Being bound. I must be free, not bound to one person. I doubt that I shall ever marry, because of that. In this society, going together, engaged and married all mean belonging to one person. It is just not my way, it's not me. I must be free to love those I choose. That is the main reason I broke up with Brad. (Although there are other reasons.) I do not wish to go without anyone, but if I should brake it up, it would only hurt them. I like you too much.

Love, Dawn

Comments

[bdot.livejournal.com]

that is really cool! you wrote very well at that age... bet you got A's in english comp!

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

Cool! That's far clearer than my writings on the same topic at that age--though I too find it notable that I was already questioning monogamy in my teens. :^)

[moofedma.livejournal.com]

With one exception, nobody was every interested in me so I didn't get to write any letters like that. The one girl I did have a thing for dumped me for a a person about whom I cannot find anything positive to say.

Your letter is very well written for your age and shows how in touch you were with yourself at such a young age!