Proposal and Annotations

            Meredith Hall’s poignant memoir, Without a Map, tells the story of her bizarre, sorrow-filled life, a life that could have—and almost certainly would have—been different, had she not gotten pregnant at 16, in 1965, coerced in to having “scared sex on a beach on a foggy Labor Day night” (Hall xxvii).  The story that follows is the story of a girl, shunned by her town, her friends, and slowly, eventually abandoned by her family, by first her mother, then her father.  Exiled, scared, and lonely, she makes her way out into the world, quite literally—world being the operative word—babyless and parentless, to live an extraordinary life woven with adventure, as well as stretches of monotony. 

                            I intend to examine the American idea of the family, how it has progressed, what it means now, how it is the common foundation for any person’s social binds, using Hall’s memoir as a building block for the exploration of the impacts of exile and disownment—the isolation of the human being from social ties, the most crucial and important of which being the institution of the family.  Although Hall lives, at least at times, an effervescent, vivacious life, a life that, when she is asked, she claims she wouldn’t choose differently, the effects of having been cast out from her originally intended life have repercussions that emanate most clearly, never entirely dissipating. 

            This topic is significant because the institution of family, although, like all institutions, is constantly in flux, ever-changing, it remains, always, the most important social tie to human development and evolution. 

            Hall’s memoir certainly stirs a complicated pot of emotions in regards to exile because of the fact that she turns out fine—better than fine, successful.  That brings about the question: was her shunning a negative thing?  My response to that is, yes, but there is no denying that positive value occurred, for Hall, due to her being forced out by her family and community, because she does seize a certain strength and self-confidence due to her unique situation; however, many of the pluses come from looking back on her life, through the act of actually writing the memoir.  One possible reason Hall looks back on her life, with the help of her writing, and says she wouldn’t change a thing, is that her, at the time, unbearable situation is what shapes the bravura life that she comes to discern as something that is her own, and that is inconceivably miraculous, in addition to heart-breaking.  So, should we strive to force people into harsh situations?  No, obviously not, but Hall's case shows that her being forced into this extraordinary situation is what caused her to rise above what she might previously have been, and to create a new, flourishing life for herself. 

Rocca, Corinne H., et al. "Pregnancy Intentions and Teenage Pregnancy Among Latinas: A Mediation Analysis." Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health 42.3 (2010): 186-196. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 19 Nov. 2010.

                        This article discusses the how wanted pregnancy is among teenagers, specifically referring to the fact that Latina women consider it to be more “favorable.”  The reason why I might use this article is that it comments strongly on the happiness of those involved, which is a key element to Meredith Hall’s memoir, Without a Map.

Gaudie, Jennifer, et al. "Antecedents of teenage pregnancy from a 14-year follow-up study using data linkage." BMC Public Health 10.(2010): 63-73. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 19 Nov. 2010.

                        This article discusses the type of teenager that is statistically supposed to be most likely to become pregnant—in this case, according to what the article labels, “aggressive delinquents.”  This idea plays an important role in the stereotyping of teenagers who do, in fact, become pregnant as this certain type of socially inept person. 

Mendes, Philip. "Improving outcomes for teenage pregnancy and early parenthood for young people in out-of-home care." Youth Studies Australia 28.4 (2009): 11-18. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 19 Nov. 2010.

                        This article focuses on the difficulties and “challenges” of early parenthood—something that Hall is denied because she is believed to be inadequate as a parent at her age of pregnancy, as well as other reasons.  This article also examines what dynamics lead to early pregnancy.  

Trost, Jan. "The Social Institution of Marriage." Journal of Comparative Family Studies 41.4 (2010): 507-514. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 19 Nov. 2010.

                        This article focuses on the social institution of marriages and different living situations that are the foundations for family life.  It is an interesting article because it approaches the idea of other living situations, such as just moving in with a girlfriend or boyfriend, for instance, which is clearly relevant and important to Hall’s life and memoir.

Johansson, Jan, Bengt Andersson, and C. Philip Hwang. "What difference do different settings in residential care make for young people? A comparison of family-style homes and institutions in Sweden." International Journal of Social Welfare 17.1 (2008): 26-36. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 19 Nov. 2010.

                        This article focuses on the different family settings in Sweden, whether it is a typical family setting, or a foster style care.  It is important to Hall’s memoir because it concentrates on the outcome of the children in terms of behavior that is deemed delinquent or socially inappropriate, in regards to what setting the child is brought up in.