Teenagers should be allowed to make own their decisions. What is your opinion?

Answer 1

Only within reason. Parents are there for a reason. To guide their children through lifes hardships or problems in a proactive manner. Many teens THINK that they are grown up enough to make decisions regarding their life but don't have the knowledge or experience that their parents or other adults have. They also don't realize till many years later how little they actually know. I look back on my teen years and realize how naive I really was. I thank God my parents were there to push me in the right direction. Teens need to feel like they have some control over their own destinies, which is understandable, but adults have a responsibility to step in at any time their teen is making a choice that can have serious repercussions. Premarital sex possibly leading to teenage pregnancy, drug or alcohol use, poor grades in school and hanging out with someone who is having a negative impact on a teen are just some things a parent has the right to step in on and take control of the situation. Whether the teen likes it or not, every one of those items will have a long term impact on their lives. It only takes one unplanned pregnancy to completely alter your future plans. Time spent in rehab or jail will impact a person for years after the deed is long over. Poor grades in school will impact college admission or force one to take additional classes to make up for it. I have seen questions on job applications that ask, "Have you ever been convicted of a crime, even as a juvenile?" Or "Have you ever had a Drug or Alcohol problem?" How'd you like to be looking at that question when your 50 years old and thinking back to the stupid mistakes you made as a kid. So, Yes, teens should be allowed to make some non-life altering decisions and Mom and Dad should discuss the rest with their kids so they understand how things will affest you later in life.

Answer 2

As with others, I think this depends on the decisions and the age/responsibility level of the teenager (remember teens includes 13).

I am a father, so these are from my perspective (also, I'm in my 30's and still ask my father's advice on things.)

Some parents are overcontrolling, I'll admit that. If you are a teenager, your views as to what is overcontrolling and what is not may be skewed somewhat. Here's some general guidelines I use (until you're 18, or fully supporting yourself)

If it's a decision that will affect your life permanently, I will have input, and veto power.

(ex. Getting a tattoo on your face may be a cool idea now, but your job prospects just went down to head shops and teen clothing stores.)

If it's a decision that will have short term effects, I will have input, you can make the decision.

(ex. Green hair will eventually go away!)

If it's a decision regarding your education (through high school), I will have input, and veto power).

(ex. You are not going to work 5th hour as a "teacher's aide". School is there for you to learn, not to be an unpaid 'gopher')

If it's a decision regarding your health and safety, you have input, I make decisions)

(ex. Drugs, Sex, Eating Habits. You will not date a 24 year old ex-felon, authorities will be notified)

If it's a decision regarding your base morality, you have input, I make decisions)

(ex. Until you are supporting yourself completely, most moral decisions are mine. If I think the clothes you are wearing make you look like a *lut, you will not wear them)

Other than those, it depends. As a married father, I don't even feel like I'm allowed to make my own decisions in all cases.

I can't 'decide' to just up and quit my job, because I support 4 other people.

Adults who don't allow teenagers to make their own decisions do so because they don't think the teenagers are making the 'right' decisions. Think further on the decisions you're not being allowed to make.

Are they really the right decisions?
Do you think you'll still think they're right 5 years from now?

Food for thought.

Answer 3

It depends. Like said before, if they are on their own, paying for everything, not living with parents or anything, then they are obviously mature and responsible enough, so most likely they should be. I am almost 19, but I have been out of my parents house since I was 16. I pay for everything, so therefore, I make my own decisions.

Now, the kids I am around, on the other hand, should not. Turning 18 dosen;t make you an "adult", legally yes, but their actions make them an adult, make them responsible. Kids that have their own job, but don't pay for everything aren't necissarily very responsible. Showing up on time and doing your job isn't hard. Being ablt to juggle what life throws at you, paying for your food, bills, rent, and insurance, and on time is living life as a capable person, responsible enough to make decisions. If you live under somone else's roof, even if you're 18 or over, dosen't make you responsible...

...and most Teenagers misunderstand that. A lot of them don't realize that with their decisions come consequences...and not many teenagers are equipped to deal with all of those consequences. Some of them don't even THINK of the consequences of their actions, and their self-centered and very childish thinking (for the most part) is why they shouldn't unless they earn it. Some teenagers are just not responsible enough and still need guidance.

It's really a situational kind of thing..

Answer 4

Sure, if they live on their own and have a job to support themselves... until that time their parents are responsible for them and get to make the decisions because they aren't responsible enough yet.

I moved out at 16 and had a kid, seemed like a great idea at the time to make my own decisions... but in the end, I was too young to realize how immature I still was and looking back I missed a lot by trying to be my own boss.

Answer 5

Yes they should and be making more decisions as they age. 17+ are young adults and need to not only figure things out for themselves but learn ways to fix their mistakes. There are some capable at 16 but then their are those not capable at 30. Age is not as important as to how well a person comes to a decision and handles problems as they arise. In the end everything a young person does or says is their decision to make anyway.

Answer 6

As children grow they are each given more and more decision making responsibilities...so the maturity of the teen, the track record and so on come into play on what decision they would like to make. I believe as a mother of two grown children that if you guide a child through decisions but have an ability to discuss to help them you are developing a skill for them to make decisions later.

Answer 7

To become an independent adult a teen must be allowed to make his/her own discussions. That being said, there are certain decisions that need the guidance of a more experienced mind. We cannot shelter a teen from all the world has to throw at them, but we should be able to comfort and guide them through some of life’s more difficult lessons.

Answer 8

As parents we have the RESPONSIBILITY to make what we feel are the right decisions for teenagers. It's not even a question about what would be fun or what would make us more popular with our kids !
If we make the wrong decision by trying to be liked or popular and we loose one of our children because of it - we have failed you as a child and society by failing to do what we have the responsibility to do. If you are the teen asking the question, I feel for you because I was a teen once myself, but when you are a parent you have the burden of the world weighing against what will get your son or daughter home safe to you every day of your life. That goes beyond the teen years as well.

Answer 9

I think teenagers think they should be able to make thier own decisions but most of them still need some guiadance in thier lives. I know I can still use some guidance and I am far from my teenage years. Always listen to the elders.. In the end..they usually know best. Good luck to ya!

Answer 10

Depends on the situation. And depends on the teenager. If they should be allowed to make their own decisions