“Through the Tunnel” Foster Youth Initiation

Even though they don’t have to swim through a tunnel like Jerry in “Through the Tunnel” by Doris Lessing, foster youth are initiated into the foster care system. As a foster youth, I know I was initiated when I went through the stages of loneliness, anger, and depression. The reason I felt lonely was because I was taken away from the people I loved and felt secured around. A minute later I felt anger because it wasn't my fault that I wasn't taken away from family, but it was them. They were the reason why I'm not with them today. Going through depression was the worst. I would feel like there is no reason to care or respect anybody in general. As a result of this initiation, I learned how to be strong and very responsible (when I feel like it).