Carmel residents could be more accepting of the town’s younger generation

Published Sept. 8, 2022

By FLINT NACHBAR

On June 2, about 200 soon-to-be high school freshmen piled out of school buses and onto Carmel Beach to enjoy a Carmel Middle School-sponsored party to celebrate their promotion to high school. Yet after the party, a local resident told the Forest and Beach Commission that the students were responsible for marks and scratches etched on the sandstone bordering Carmel Beach. 

CUSD quickly denied the claim, saying that none of the 19 adults that were present at the party saw any students vandalizing the sandstone. When asked to comment on the situation, CUSD’s media and PR representative Jessical Hull said that not only were CMS students not responsible for the graffiti left behind, but that the school took extra care to make sure that they left the beach spotless.

The claims of vandalism seem to be false, and the fact that the local resident accused the young teens of graffiti with no concrete evidence begs the question: Does Carmel do a good enough job providing a welcoming environment for kids?

Teenagers using Carmel beach as a place to congregate should not be frowned upon. (courtesy of WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

Living in Carmel offers teenagers the opportunity to grow up in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Outdoor activities are endless, with hiking trails, beaches and access to one of the most sought-after destinations in the world in Big Sur. Many students feel lucky to be able to live in a place that people dream about visiting, but it is the overall culture of Carmel-by-the-Sea that can make the town feel unwelcoming to younger people. 

The high cost of living and expensive environment often leads Carmel to catering to wealthy tourists and affluent homeowners who can afford to spend their time in town. Because of this, the younger generation may not feel welcomed or wanted because we are not the target audience that Carmel is trying to attract. In fact, according to the United States Census Bureau, the average age of Carmel residents is 65. 

Because Carmel gets so much of its income from tourism, it seems to see no need to cater shops or stores to kids. Because teens are not profitable for Carmel, there is no reason to support or encourage more teen engagement in town.

Carmel attracts a wealthy crowd, so naturally the shops and restaurants reflect the clientele by selling high-end products. The homes in town are lavish and beautiful as well as exceptionally expensive. People move to Carmel to live in quiet luxury by the beach, and for many, that tranquility is disrupted by teenagers. 

Teenagers having a bonfire at the beach may be a nuisance to some, but to kids it’s just everyday life. While teenagers skateboarding on the street or hanging out on Scenic may be a disruption to the day-to-day life of adult residents, it’s unreasonable to expect that kids aren’t going to be kids just because they live in a nice area. 

Moving forward, Carmel residents should be accepting of kids and try to tolerate typical teenage activities. Teens are the next generation of Carmelites, and it is time that older residents recognize that.