Would you consider teenagers to be adults or children?

Question

I think we should consider them to be adults since children are up to age 12. Teenagers need to be treated like adults and given responsibility. I think if they are given those two things they will much more likely act like adults.

Answer 1

Teenagers are teenagers. Minors. Dependants until they are self-reliant. What your proposing may work but only if the parents are mature. A lot of parents aren't grown up themselves.
One thing though is that teens usually don't get shown respect for their opinions. They should be listened to even if adults don't agree.

Answer 2

I think they're in-between. Really, even though the law says that 18 years old is the age where one becomes a full adult, there are people in my college that still act like teenagers or even children. Better yet, I know full fledged adults that act immature. What the law says doesn't mean that one is fully mature... I know kids that are very mature for their age, and really I think the law should create some sort of test to measure your maturity and go from there. When I was a teenager, I was still trying to find my way through life. I was still a child, yet I was ready to jump into adulthood as well. Most teens also do "adult stuff" as well, such as underage drinking and smoking which was common during my high school career. Some of my classmates even got pregnant as well (although pretty commonplace especially in the U.S.). I'm 18 right now, and I don't feel like a legal adult to be honest. I feel like a teenager still, like I'm 17 still.

Answer 3

I agree with you in some regards. I never believed in allowance for work either. We had a different system in my home because we were too poor for me to give my girls pay... meant less food.

I think our kids are forced to grow up and lose their innocence too young, but on the other hand, many are not taught any responsibility either.

It depends upon the child and the situation but truly as teens mature they should contribute more to the family. However, nothing should get in the way of their studies. I forbad my girls to have jobs while they were in school because THAT was their job!

But every child should be given appropriate responsibilities from a very young age, even if it is just putting the serviettes on the table or picking up all the "red" toys or such.

As the child grows, so does the complexity of the tasks, not necessarily the amount, again due to studies.

By the way, the word teenager was not invented till the 50's about when the media was gearing up and the word came along. It was bobby soxers for Frank Sinatra then moved up to teenager and suddenly we had Elvis, James Dean, and the EXPECTATION of rebellious kids. Never had that before did we?

Answer 4

Teenagers are not adults until they are 18 but they do need to be given some responsibilities in order to learn how to be adults. Once they are 18 they can vote and smoke but not drink yet. Being a teenager is a transition phase from childhood into adulthood.

Answer 5

Legally, a person isn't an adult until age 18. There are some teenagers who are mature and responsible enough I'd almost classify them as adults. And there are many more people in their 20s who I consider children.

Answer 6

Teenagers are called teenagers because that's the stage between childhood and adulthood.
Your not actually considered an adult until your 18 years old and you can vote.
Teenagers are still children is some ways, they are ready for more responsibility but not FULL responsibility of their actions because they aren't quite ready to grow up yet and face the consiquences of their actions.
Your parents are still reliable for you until your 18 years old anyway by law.

Answer 7

Depends on the individual. Some teenagers are very mature for their age and deserve to be treated like adults, where as some are immature for their age and still need to be treated like a child.

Answer 8

I think its an in between stage where they sort of act like kids but want to be treated like adults, without having the responsibilities of adults.

Answer 9

Neither. I consider them a teenager. The part of the brain that helps makes decisions isn't fully developed 'til later in life, so I don't think that will automatically make teens more responsible. Unfortunately it's one of those things you can't understand until you are no longer a teen.

Answer 10

Whoa, Sandy...

What's this?

People over 12 should be treated like adults????

Like, in your world, where they are constantly monitored, corrected and instructed kind of adult?

Or like in my world, where they're expected to be able to responsibly execute their activities of daily living independently?

Why would you suggest we treat teenagers like adults, if you can't get past treating a partner like a pet?

Can't have it both ways. Independent thinking or no...which one?