Where Were the Adults in ‘Stand By Me’?

I’ll never forget the first time I watched Stand By Me at the age of 12, huddled on the couch with my best friend. Those boys seemed to have it all figured out. They understood the world, and let’s be honest: River Phoenix was undeniably charming. The film was a captivating blend of drama and nostalgia. And who could overlook the infamous barf scene? Talk about a classic moment for a whole new generation.

Fast forward three decades (can you believe it?!) to a recent viewing with my own son. This time, I found myself wearing a perpetual look of disbelief. My mind kept circling back to one thought: where on earth were the parents of these kids?

I can cut Gordie’s parents some slack since they were struggling with the deep sorrow of losing their son, Denny. Chris and Teddy’s dads were clearly unhinged, but Vern seemed to have a fairly normal home life. At the very least, where was Mrs. Tessio when Vern dashed out the door? Couldn’t she have packed the boys a few sandwiches for their journey?

And what about the adults in Castle Rock as a whole? The shopkeepers? The townsfolk? Aside from a few flashbacks and a particularly angry junkyard owner, it felt like the entire town was operating under a Lord of the Flies regime with Ace Merrill acting like he owned the place.

Let’s dive into the details, shall we?

An Unsupervised Journey with Just Pennies to Spend

In today’s world of attentive parenting, the idea of four 12-year-olds venturing into the woods with a mere nine cents for food would raise serious alarms. Child Protective Services would probably show up, and it would be the subject of a Dateline special. Did anyone in Castle Rock notice these boys, their backpacks, and their determination? With Ray Brower missing and presumed dead, where were the concerned parents? Seriously, Mr. and Mrs. Tessio, step it up.

Mailbox Mayhem

As a preteen, I was captivated by Ace’s rebellious attitude and his disregard for rules. Watching him throw caution to the wind while playing chicken with a truck was thrilling. But now, as a responsible adult who understands the cost of replacing a mailbox, I can only feel sympathy for Castle Rock’s mailman and the frustrated residents missing their deliveries. Someone should have reported those troublemakers to the police.

Bullying Rampant

Almost every scene in Stand By Me portrays some form of bullying. The town seems to be at the mercy of a gang of teenage delinquents intent on terrorizing the local kids. When Ace knocks Chris to the ground, not a single adult intervenes to help him. It’s as if all the grown-ups in Castle Rock are locked away while Ace and his gang unleash their version of vigilante justice.

Risky Business

Another unsettling realization I had as an adult while watching Stand By Me is that these kids were practically inviting disaster. From Ace and his friends using unsterilized razors for tattoos to Gordie and his crew nearly succumbing to leeches, these boys were living on the edge. Ace swaggered around with a switchblade while smoking like it was no big deal. And let’s not even discuss Gordie and the gun. I get wanting to stand up to a bully, but come on, Castle Rock adults, this is your responsibility!

When I was 12, I dreamed of having a wild adventure like the boys in the film. I wondered if my best friend and I would drift apart like Gordie and Chris. I even fantasized about dating the talented Wil Wheaton. Now that I have my own collection of crazy stories and a few secrets my parents still don’t know, I wish I could relive those innocent movie-watching days without the lens of adulthood. I also still wish I could date Wil Wheaton.

In the end, I realize that friendships like the ones I had at 12 are rare. Does anyone have those kinds of connections anymore? (See what I did there?)

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Summary

In Stand By Me, the absence of parental supervision raises eyebrows, especially in light of the boys’ reckless adventures. The film, while nostalgic and heartwarming, prompts a deeper reflection on the responsibilities of adults in a community. As I revisit this classic now as a parent, I can’t help but question the choices made by the adults in the story and reminisce about the friendships of youth.