Fellow atheists...?

Question

in your opinion, what should a teenager (age 16-18) do and not do?

How late should they stay out, how far should they go with their boyfriend/girlfriend, should they smoke, drink, etc?

I really am an atheist, but I'm 20 & in college. I'm asking this about my atheist brother who is 17 going on 18, and has been doing these kinds of things ever since he was 15. I wanted to see if my opinions are the same as yours, or if I haven't yet been completely de-brainwashed (I was raised Christian.)

I believe sex is ok as long as it is safe, that he should not drink, smoke, or do drugs, since it is detrimental to one's health, and that, as long as it's not a school night, he can stay out as late as he wants.

Answer 1

Our opinions would be just as varied as those of you bible thumpers. (Fellow atheists, my ****.)

Answer 2

I'm only 24 and not a parent so maybe my attitudes will change...who knows.

I wouldn't condone sex, but I did it, and I'm alright. They definitely shouldn't be having sex with random people, but if it were with a significant other, I guess I would get over it.

The shouldn't be drinking and driving for sure. I wouldn't condone drinking, but again, I did it and turned out OK. I'm a very moderate drinker.

Drugs are a big no no. I smoked pot, and I shouldn't have. I would not overlook drugs at all. If you want to try pot, wait until you're an adult and in college.

In by midnight, nothing good happens after midnight, but midnight isn't too early. My curfew was 10pm until I was 18, it totally sucked.

They should be getting a good education, and learning other skills such as sports or arts, they should definitely be driving.

Answer 3

Even if they are not "christian", I still feel all people should be morally upstanding, and do the "right" thing.....in other words, be a good person. So, I think that means they should definitely not do drugs or drink. As far as how late they should stay out, I think that depends on what they are doing when they stay out late. If you are trustworthy, then maybe you deserve a later curfew, but if you are doing things that will get your into trouble, then you should be home early. And finally, as for how far you should go.....I think it is preferrable to wait until you are older, so that you are more emotionally ready to deal with sex and the things that go along with it. I also think is should be done with a person that you are in love with, however, ultimately, it's up to you and when you decide you are ready!

Answer 4

Don't hurt anyone, don't steal from anyone, don't spread rumors about your peers, don't gossip, and listen to your parents, since they've already been down the road you're traveling now, and they were teenagers once, too (hard to believe, I know).

Also, if you're planning on having sex, use birth control, and/or a condom. Stay in school. Remember that authority figures aren't there to hurt you or to keep you from having fun, they are there to keep you safe. Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Don't talk on your cell phone while you're driving.

Sounds a lot like the Ten Commandments, right? Well, keep in mind the Code of Hammurabi outlined many of these same rules, too, and predates the Ten Commandments by about 300 years. The Jews ripped off the Code to make the Ten.

Answer 5

Concentrate on school, but also have fun.

It is difficult to get back the freedom you have when you can afford to live with your parents. Live it up, but don't risk your future.

"How late should they stay out, how far should they go with their boyfriend/girlfriend, should they smoke, drink, etc?"

Staying out late: irrelevant. Whatever your parents will permit (just don't let it interferee with your school).

How far should you go in your relationships. I say wait on the actual sex part until you are 18. In essence it isn't about having sex (you have your whole life for that). It is about learning how to be in a relationship and finding love.

Smoke, drink, etc? It is up to you. Just don't let it interfer with your sober life. (Don't trade a moment of fun for the education you need for your FUTURE.

Oops, I phrased my answer assuming you are 16 - 18. If you are a parent please interpret this as advice you should consider from a neutral observer, ), and make sure you explain very carefully why sex, smoking, drinking etc are dangerous but a part of life and how you need to be mature enough to understand MODERATION.

Answer 6

Smoking definitely no. There are no health benefits at all from smoking.

16 dating, I don't see why not.

16 drinking, only if they promise not to drive or let anyone else drive. I would rather have them drink in my house so I know no one slips anything into their drinks. Of course I would also make them VERY aware that I have 11 alcoholics in my family and that we are VERY susceptible to alcohol.

16 sex, I would explain to them they won't understand it this young and I can't absolutely prove it to them and all I can do is tell them and hope they trust me. But if they ignore me then make sure they don't ignore me on using a condom.

18 sex, it's no longer my choice nor does my opinion matter anymore. Welcome to adulthood.


But that is basing it off what I knew when I was that age.

Answer 7

Should give me a dollar, should not shoot me in the face. Seriously I have to reiterate the request for context.

Okay. I think they should stay out as late as they feel the need so long as it does not interfere with their studies. I think they should go as far as they feel comfortable, but should also be safe when going all the way. They should smoke and drink if they want, but again should do so responsibly and in such a way that it doesn't get in the way of what's important.

Answer 8

Stay in your bedroom and read. Stay a virgin until you are out of high school. ALways use protection and birth control. If you drink don't drive. Don't start on tobacco cos it is hard to quit later. Don't smoke pot every day. Don't even touch the hard drugs. Get A's in school. Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. That is my advice.

Answer 9

aw man as an atheist you know that spirituality and morality are not at ALL the same thing. so it just comes down to the family of the teenager.

in my family there is no underage drinking, no lying, an 11 o'clock curfew, no boys in the house without a parent home, no parties, no smoking, no NOTHING! haha my parents involvement with my life and all their rules are just reminders that they love me and are doing their best to protect me and raise me to respect myself and make good responsible choices yada yada yada.


the only difference between the rules in my family and that of my very catholic friend's is the mutual respect and discussion. for example, when she was given the sex talk, she was told that if she had premarital sex she would go to hell. i was told that sex has a lot of emotional repercussions and it is a decision i need to make carefully and responsibly. my parents make it possible to communicate with them by staying open minded and i attribute this to their lack of a formal belief system.

Answer 10

When I was a kid people 16~18 were getting married and starting families.

You should use your brains and think about consequences a bit. Grab every bit of education you can.
Most important though is just the point of understanding that you make decisions and live with the results of them.

Answer 11

Study hard
Read difficult books
Read a newspaper once or twice a week
Stuff their ears with music and their eyes with art
Play a musical instrument
Learn to cook
Learn to save money
Learn to fix things (darn socks, unclog a drain, that sort of thing)
Learn CPR and first aid (this will come in handy when you least expect it)
Learn to swim well
Take a few dance lessons, just for the heck of it
Get a part-time job
Volunteer
Have fun
Listen