FREE ESSAY ON THE LOSS OF INNOCENCE

THE LOSS OF INNOCENCE

Innocence is such a precious gift. For those who do not know what exactly innocence is,
the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines innocence as, "freedom from guilt or sin through
being unacquainted with evil." When do humans in general have little or no guilt and
worries? In the days of our youth, everything is much simpler. Remember never going to
work, paying bills, supporting a family, and doing all the other things that is expected
from an adult? All children worry about is having a good time. Children take almost
nothing seriously. They can care less about women, popularity, money, or the future. Some
people however, feel that innocence is the worst time of anyone's life. This brings up
the question whether or not innocence is important in life or not.
Although it seems as if decisions and events made during a person's childhood are totally
irrelevant towards the rest of his/her life, these factors make a tremendous impact on
the type of adult a person becomes. For example, it is commonly known that most children
who had abusive parents have grown up to be just the same. If a child had very loving and
caring parents, chances are the child will grow to be very loving towards his/her
children. A child doesn't know any better during the stage of innocence and is unable to
reasonably distinguish the differences between right and wrong. The child who abuses his
kids as an adult was brought up that way himself. In his own mind, he feels this is the
right way to discipline his children. This shows that innocence does play an important
part in everyone's life. 
Just imagine never having to worry about anything, having a guilt free mind, and being
able to do just about anything that can not be done as adults. Holden Caufeild from the
book The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, wishes innocence was never lost. To
Holden, the perfect example of innocence is his little sister Phoebe. Phoebe has
absolutely no hatred towards anyone or anything, as well as no worries. Holden wants to
save this kind of innocence from being lost in the transition from childhood to
adulthood. What would the world be like if innocence were never lost?
One way it would benefit humanity is the lack of hatred among the world. During youth,
their may be an occasional argument of some sort, maybe even a little physical fight, but
nothing like firing a handgun at a fellow human being. Children are blind towards the
race and ethnicity of others. A kid will hang out with another kid no matter what, it is
the lack of innocence and the ignorance we learn from adults that manipulate children
otherwise. Think of all the things that the human race can achieve if we all put our
minds together.
Another way keeping innocence alive would benefit humanity is the constant craving for
fun and adventure. As adults, people have very little if any time at all do things that
they enjoy. The adventurous mind is lost in time with the responsibilities that are
bestowed upon adults. Once again, if innocence were kept alive, these ambitions would
never depart from our lives. As adult's people also have more freedom to go places and to
do certain things, making it easier to do the things, which they wanted to but could not
do during childhood. Who wouldn't want to live in a world were having fun was always the
main priority of life?
Some people actually despise the idea of innocence lasting for all eternity. They do
believe that innocence is probably the greatest time of anyone's life. They do however,
feel that the lack of organization and mental capacity of those without innocence would
have a tremendously devastating impact on society in general.
With the ongoing life of innocence, a large portion of individuals would never have the
urge to learn, work, and act upon the necessary needs for humanity to survive. Without a
proper education which is usually provided by those who no longer live in a world of
innocence, people would not have the mental abilities to get a good job in life, thus
providing little income for families and hurting the lives of children. The lack of a
good education and career would also harm the economy. Society would than take on a state
much like communism. With the lack of hatred and worries people have as children, People
would feel that work is simply something they need to do to raise money. As long as
innocence is kept alive, no one would be terribly angered at the lack of effort people
put out in the workplace, resulting in a strong decline in production and quality of
needed goods.
Maybe Hodlen Caufeild was wrong in wanting to save innocence. It sure is a nice thought
though. Perhaps innocence was meant to be lost. There are certain things in life that
probably should not be toyed around with. It was god's will to make things the way they
are, and I am sure god has a good purpose for everything. All that remains to be said
about innocence is to enjoy it while it lasts. It certainly is the happiest time of
anyone's life.