what do you think about a mall curfew?

Question

The two malls in my city recently imposed a new rule; that anyone under 18 at the mall on friday and saturday night after 6 pm must have an adult guardian with them.

I am a responsible teenager. I don't drink, do drugs, use profanity, i have never been in trouble with the law. And yet because of teenagers who do those things at the mall, (well i guess they were doing those things, i've never seen it or heard obout it, it wasn't a huge problem to my knowlege) i can't hang out there on friday or saturday night without my parents.

Now maybe i'm overreacting, but it seems to me that they could punish the trouble makers without punishing kids like me who are innocent. I have a right to freedom of assembly, and if a 16 year old is by law responsible enough to drive a car, they should be responsible enough to shop at the mall without a guardian.

Feedback is appreciated.

Answer 1

I agree if you are old enough to drive you should be able to assemble. But not all teenagers are as mature as you. And by the law you are still a minor. Also most shopping malls are private property. I imagine that it depends on who made up this policy and for the obvious reasons why.

If I were you I would get in touch with your city council or perhaps get involved with your teen city council if you have one. Contact mall management. Contact your local news agency. Make a difference, show those old folks that you matter and are able to make smart decisions.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Well, I'm assuming that this is the result of problems the malls have been having with our younger generation. Whether it be shoplifting, vandalism, loitering in the parkinglots. Whatever the case may be, it would likely be accurate to assume its a response to a problem the malls felt they were having. The unfortunate thing is this, Yes alot of responsible teens that would otherwise handle themselves in an upstanding manner suffer some, and since the mall is private property, they make the rules, nothing you or anyone else can do about it. But there are many other places to hang out than the mall. Im asusming if your town has two malls, it is of decent size and has other things to do. Its also possible that this may not last or be enforced strictly, so just play it by ear and hope for the best.

Answer 3

I can see the situation from both sides--certainly it is unfair to the teenagers who behave to be treated like hooligans and chattel, and also to their parents who probably don't want to spend their evenings being dragged around by a gaggle of teens. I know it's annoying enough for me just to have to drive my sister (9 years my junior at 17), much less having to follow her and her friends around!

Yet, I've also had many an evening at the mall ruined by "those darn teenagers"--and not necessarily because they are doing drugs or drinking, smoking, or swearing. A lot of times it is simply because they are LOUD--I don't even think they realize how loud they are! They shriek and giggle. They saunter along in the middle of the walkway in a line, blocking foot traffic behind them. They tend to loiter around the foodcourt, sitting there talking (loudly) without getting any new food, taking up seats. If there is a movie theater, it always tends to be the teenagers who are talking through the film. It goes on.

I think a lot of the problem happens because the younger teens tend to treat the mall primarily as a social destination rather than a place to shop or see a movie. Shopping and filmgoing are secondary to the socializing--my ex-husband and I even had a term for the little thirteen-year-old, aimless girls whose obvious only purpose at the mall was to sit around and flirt with boys. We called them "mall sluts." And, to be perfectly frank, they can be really f-ing annoying when you're going on a simple shopping expedition, or trying to unwind on Friday night with a movie.

I notice a lot of the worse offenders, though, tend to be those in their very early teens, around eleven to fifteen or so. Once kids get the freedom of driving and don't have to rely on their parents to get them around anymore, they tend to diversify their destinations. So while I don't think the curfew is an all around bad idea, 18 seems to be a bit extreme. Perhaps the age limit should be lowered a bit--perhaps to 16.

Answer 4

Welcome to the world kiddo.Sad but true,this goes on all the time.The innocent are always punished for the acts of a few.It certainly isn't fair.Just as an example,I have always taken Sudafed for my allergies.Now because some people use it to make speed,I have to go to the pharmacy counter and ask for it,my drivers license is scanned like I'm a criminal buying an illegal drug and I can only buy one box within a certain amount of days.
You aren't over reacting,I would feel the same as you,you are being punished because of a few teenagers that couldn't behave themselves.Besides,who wants to hang out with your parents at the mall anyway.(I'm allowed to say that,I'm a 47 year old mom)I hope they realize that by making these new rules it will cut back on their business.

Answer 5

I don't actually think it's that bad of an idea. Most malls aren't even open past about 9 o'clock, so a few hours twice a week doesn't seem like that big of a deal, especially since it's keeping kids from getting into trouble, at least in that particular area.

Answer 6

Unfortunately in America you really don't get taken seriously until you are in your early 20s. In other countries you can do almost anything at 16 and absolutely anything at 18. But America seems to like to try and keep kids in line by rules, laws, and policies of this nature. Yeah it sucks. I am damn glad I never lived in America when I was under 21.

Answer 7

I agree someone is overreacting. Punish the guilty and leave the good ones alone. I also believe that nobody should gather in large a crowds and you shouldn't go there just to hang out. You should go there to shop, go to a show or eat and keep the hanging out to a minimum.

Answer 8

well i agree with you completely.

us teens under 18 should be able to go to the mall whenever we want. maybe propose the curfew to those under 16 who cannot drive? as for the freedom of assembly i think thats different. thats to protest and assemble for religion and such....now if u want to protest this then im sure u can lol...although i agree with you the freedom of assembly does not make much sene to me.

Answer 9

I think 6 is a little harsh. As long as they are not doing anything bad, i think 9 would be a good mall curfew

Answer 10

I understand what you're saying about feeling like they should only punish the troublemakers but they really have no way of knowing who the good kids are. Yes, it sucks, but they must have reasons for making their rules. Next time you see one of the punks who made them invoke the rule....

sock him/her in the face.