Cell phone Quote by Kelley Armstrong
““Another night then,' Mom said. 'Maybe on the weekend we can have a barbecue and invite your sister.' 'Or,' I said turning to Rafe, 'if you want to skip the whole awkward meet-the-family social event you could just submit your life story including your view on politics religion and every social issue imaginable along with anything else you think they might need to conduct a thorough background check.' Mom sighed. 'I really don't know why we even bother trying to be subtle around you.' 'Neither do I. It's not like he isn't going to realize he's being vetted as daughter-dating material.' Rafe grinned. 'So we are dating.' 'No. You have to pass the parental exam first. It'll take you awhile to compile the data. They'd like it in triplicate.' I turned to my parents. 'We have Kenjii. We have my cell phone. Since we aren't yet officially dating I'm sure you'll agree that's all the protection we need.' Dad choked on his coffee.””
About This Quote
A satirical take on parental over‑scrutiny of teenage relationships, exposing the absurdity of treating dating like a bureaucratic vetting process.
In simple terms: Parents treat dating like a background check.
Key Takeaway
Dating can become a bureaucratic nightmare.
Themes
family dynamics
generational conflict
satire
privacy
social expectations
Mood
wry
ironic
playful
Type
dialogue
satire
humor
When to use this quote
- teen dating negotiations
- family dinner conversations
- parent‑child conflict over autonomy
- cultural expectations about courtship
Key Concepts
parental control
privacy invasion
communication breakdown
social media influence
Practical Applications
- using humor to critique over‑protective parenting
- highlighting the need for healthy boundaries
Questions to Reflect On
- How does excessive parental oversight affect teen autonomy?
- What balance should families strike between safety and privacy?
