How much freedom and responsibility should teenagers have in making their own decisions?

Question

In an effort to set guidelines for acceptable teenage behavior, parents and other adults in authority often make rules that restrict the freedoms of the individual.
How much freedom and responsibility should teenagers have in making their own decisions? Explain your position by using evidence from your own experience or the experiences of other people.

Answer 1

That would be based on the decision of their parent and no one else given the fact that parents know their sons and daughters individually.

The decision of "how" freedom is based is on trust.

So, "why" that decision is made is also up to the teenager.

Answer 2

That really depends of the teenager. If he keeps making wrong decisions, this means he is not that responsible and so less freedom. You see, freedom and responsibility are partners, the more he is responsible, the more freedom he earns and yes, he must earn this.
I am a mom of a beautiful 23 year old daughter!!! She is a police that has just moved in her own house.
She finally had her complete freedom once I was sure she was responsible enough to know how to use this freedom wisely and safely.
We are very proud of her, she a wonderful daughter, a parent's dream come true!

Answer 3

I was born responsible. So the freedoms I could have, were given to me because I had earned them. Still, my parents were strict so I would have to earn other freedoms one at a time. I do believe they were overly strict, but teens should be given opportunities to earn their freedom. They are not considered adults until 18 for most things, and 21 for others. Proof of responsibility is an excellent way to introduce children to the world. Parents should have discussions with their children about making decisions, with emphasis on the values the parents hold, and why.

Answer 4

Because teenagers are as individual as snowflakes, I think rules and guidelines should reflect the maturity (or lack of) of the teen. Teens have way too much confidence about some of the issues they face. Most spend their time rebelling against rules that restrict them because they think adults don't know what they're talking about. (Adults were all teenagers at one time, too!)

When they make mistakes that evoke real consequences, teenagers begin to understand why rules are the way they are. They begin to distinguish between the ones that are important to their success in life and the ones that will keep them from reaching their goals.

In essence, parents should set baseline rules for the welfare of their teen. But the teenager should be allowed to contribute to the discussions and decisions to be made, and his opinions should be respected and considered.