Footnote to Youth

By Jose Garcia Villa

(Structuralism)

Everything in this world has its own structure and system. These systems are one of the
main reasons why people act the way they act. However, not all systems result to happiness.
Some systems were unwisely made and therefore result to unfavorable outcomes. One great
example of this is the system of early marriage. Early marriages are common in the
Philippines. Most of us have already know the consequences of it but it is still rampant in our
county. The story Footnote to Youth (1993) by Jose Garcia Villa intelligibly depicts how this
system made the lives of the youth who went through it, bitter. The story pivots on
impatientness, contemplation, and realization.

The story started by a keen description of the setting of the story. A lot of small details
were included by the author (e.g. the grounds breaking like fresh wounds). Dodong (17 years
old) was eager to ask permission from his father about his plan of marrying Teang. He was
very excited that an impatient tone in his voice was clearly heard. “I asked her last night to
marry me and she said...yes. I want your permission. I... want... it....” He was impatient on
waiting his father’s response and he was also impatient on marrying at a young age. He
disregarded all the problems, responsibilities and hardships that come with marrying and
raising a family because he wants to follow his youth’s dream of marrying Teang. 17 is such
an early age for marriage, but he thought that that age is old enough. It is evident that
marrying at that age is somewhat normal in their lives. It is a system for them. An impatient
system for me.

As the story went on, Dodong and Teang had slowly felt the difficulties of life. The
difficulties that comes with raising a family. When people make big decisions in life without
fully considering all the factors that comes with that certain decision, it usually doesn’t result
to the way they like to. Dodong and Teang came to this point in the story. (Teang cried
sometimes, wishing she had not married. Meanwhile Dodong wanted to ask questions and
somebody to answer him.) He wanted to be wise about many things especially about life and
marriage. They were contemplating on what could life had been if they didn’t marry and if
they would be happier. These reactions of Dodong and Teang are on point. Youth who go into
early marriages usually experience this contemplating part. Some would even wish that they
didn’t marry. The bitterness of life kicked in and it’s too late for them to turn it around.
Dodong and Teang were victims of early marriage.

The author ended the story by making Dodong realize everything. One night, his son Blas
came up to him and told him he wants to marry Tona. Blas was very young that time. Dodong
wanted to object (But truly, God, I don’t want Blas to marry yet... not yet. I don’t want Blas to
marry yet....) but he couldn’t. (Youth must triumph... now. Love must triumph... now.
Afterwards... it will be life.) The system continues. Jose Garcia Villa ended the story but not
the system. Credits to Villa for being unpredictable. Dodong could have instilled wisdom on
his son about the consequences of marrying. He could have done so much more. He just didn’t
want to. After realizing he was wrong, he didn’t help his son not to make the same mistake as
he did which I believe most fathers would have done.

Our lives will forever be entwined with social structures and systems. However, we have
the ability to change systems for the better. History should serve as a lesson to all of us.
Footnote to Youth is a great story. It could be better but it was written to serve as a footnote to
youth. A footnote containing valuable lessons. A footnote which I would highly recommend
for youth to read.