Where are you going, where have you been

In this story, the author does a wonderful job as using Connie as the symbol for most young girls. Most young girls go through that stage where they don't get along with their parents, they feel like their siblings are favored more than them, and older boys/men seem attractive. It says in the story how Connie's father is away at work a lot, and when he does come home, he is very quiet. In Connie's eyes her mother continually finds fault in what she does, and she praises her older sister for everything. The story implies that Connie longs for attention, but when she suddenly gets attention from Arnold Friend it may not be what she wanted. Arnold Friend symbolizes all the bad in the world. He promises to do wonderful things to her and treat her nicely. He says he can take her away into a better life. As the story goes on, Arnolds true colors come out, and he seems to have a darker side. Connie shows signs of being afraid of him but his manipulation is too strong for her. Arnold Friend gets into her mind and eventually wins her over. Connie turns herself over to the dark side and will never return.
I think what the author is trying to say is that a young girl in Connie's circumstance doesn't stand a chance against the evils like Arnold Friend. If the "Arnold Friends" get into a young girls minds it is near to impossible for a young girl to get rid of them on her own.