Should parents just leave their teen kids alone?

Question

I was reading an article which said today's childern are smart and they can't tolerate interference from their parents. They should just leave them alone. Times have changed and today's children are aware of their academic and social responsibilities. Things have changed, those were the simpler times but now the children are much smarter.

Answer 1

The upcoming generation of children are not smarter. It's weird to understand but the children of the past where a lot more responsible and made better decisions than we do. Many of them could raise a whole family at the age of 13. I do believe though, that our generation is less nieve, we are exposed to more violence and cruelties of the world at a very young age. Children of today need parents more than those of the past because, since we can't take instruction from our parents, we most likely won't be able to take instruction from outsiders who want to break us.

I don't think all teens are the same though, maybe you are really mature but just because you are, remember the hundreds of other teens that would be dead now if it wasn't for their parents. Don't speak for the entire group of teens because many act like babies. I am teen too.

Teens are definetly more stupid. Look at the statistics.

Answer 2

You're making a point, but consider this... Those celebrities are very famous. Almost everyone knows them. People are highly influenced by media. So, those people just expect those celebrities to be role models because they're the ones who have the power and get the chance to. They don't have to, but some just think that they should since they could. Celebrities live two lives: as a celebrity (being their job) and as whoever their true identity is (like secret identity for superheroes). One big problem that they all face is that some people forget their boundaries. They mix their celebrity time and personal time. Here is where paparazzi, gossip columnists and haters come into the scene. Some didn't ask for this; some did. Those who didn't still know that this will happen. It's a very typical situation for famous people like them. They can't escape his. Some of those who knew regret it, some don't. People are different, so we don't really know what. Don't worry too much. Some of them don't really care, but some do, and some pretend. LOL! Everyone has their own opinion. It's their right to express themselves. :]

Answer 3

In my opinion, NO, NO and NO!! This is what is wrong with some of today's youth!! There is not enough of communication between parents and children. Yes, children are probably much smarter book wise, but they still need the love and guidance from their parents and loved ones that we all need. I don't think that the basics of life will ever need to be changed.

Answer 4

No the whole problem is leaving their teen kids alone. You said it yourself they are still kids. They are not more smarter, they are just more aware of things. Parents need to the complete opposite in my opinion and leave them alone as little as little as possible.

Answer 5

I think communication between child a parent is important as long as the parent gives the child some space and does not give there opinion on everything every 5 min.

Answer 6

That is the biggest bunch of hoo-ha I've ever heard. I got this little magic thing I wear around my waist that will cause kids to tolerate their parents. Spare the rod and spoil the child. "Experts" are sending our kids straight to hell in a handbag. Not mine, buddy.

Answer 7

F*** NO. if you don't want every lick of alcohol and your house to still be standing when you get back then you should keep your children away form even the chance of being alone. they will do anything to keep themselves entertained and will defiantly take the chance to have sex in every room that has a bed.

Answer 8

It totally depends on the child and the circumstances. Nobody wants to be left entirely alone, but teens are really more like adults than children, so they require and deserve a degree of privacy.

Answer 9

What a load of bull. Today's teenagers have far less of any sense of responsibility than of any past generation. Today's teens are less responsible because of technology. We have dishwashers, microwaves, washing machines, etc, which takes the labor out of chores, simplies them to a degree it is easy for mom or dad to do a load here and there and stay on top of things.

Today, teens have fewer chores than any past generation. There is less time spent with teens too, so less time for parents and kids to do community tasks where in the past the parent often spoke with the child and taught them concepts of responsibility, integrity, ethics and honor. Less time with kids means less time teaching them the core values they need to be truly productive members of their families, let alone of society.

Teenagers need more time and attention than a much younger child. They are at the age where they "think" they know everything and are all grown up, when the opposite is actually true. Teenagers have little sense of their own mortality and as such fail to understand bad things can happen to them, that they can be hurt and even die. When teenagers are left to their own devices they only have their peers to get information about regarding life. One teenager can't teach another what is needed to be a mature productive adult.

Teenagers and young people today are very selfish. They have little sense of family, or duty or that one should always try to help out when needed, rather than telling the parents who gave them rather cushy lives that they are too "busy" or have "other engagements" to help move, or mow the lawn, or whatever else a family member needs assistance with.

I am shocked at how little family connection kids have today. It is so sad seeing families fall apart when kids get older. When left to their own devices they learn to depend on other people than their own family and so of course they would not wish to be there for those who basically abonded them. However, it is not even about that, it is this lost time when teens need to feel a sense of belonging, yet are left to their own devices and to struggle through the hardest years alone.

Even kids who fight their parents involvement usually really do want it, they need to know they really matter that their parents care enough to work to get through to them. It is the effort rather than the success that matters. When kids are older they know in their heart and souls that their parents never "gave up"on them and that they kept trying even when things got tough.

The teenage years are the most difficult and yet parents make the mistake of thinking their children need them less because they are older and seemingly more able to care for themselves.

Sure they can dress themselves, get themselves off to school, and get around town on their own now, but they still really need their parents. They need bounderies and need to learn to respect other's bounderies. When left to run amuck around town without any parental involvemet there is no telling what type of trouble they can get into.

Kids yearn for rules and bounderies, even when they fight against them, as it makes them feel safe and loved, that somebody cares where they are and who they are with and what they are doing. When kids are not provided with this they will search it out elsewhere and often in all the wrong places.

I know because not only was I once a teenager, but I raised eight teenagers myself. I know how happy my kids are today that I took the time, effort and energy to keep on top of their activities and made sure they had responsibilities and understood what it means to be a part of a fiamily. It is not all about what you recieve but what you give that really counts. Kids these days are stuck on what they can get, and not what they can give. It is really sad.

Answer 10

no of course not..children need guidance. just look at the stats for teenage pregnancies and drug abuse, dropouts, etc... they will always need parental guidance until they are of age..