Why should/should not teenagers be allowed to make decisions?

Answer 1

Teenagers absolutely should be allowed to make decisions,,,but not ones that are totally out of their league.. some decisions take wisdom, maturity, that teens don't have yet..

Answer 2

I believe that is too broad a question.

There are some decisions teenagers should make on their own and some they shouldn't. You have to start learning to make decisions on you own at some point, but at the same time teens are not totally legally responsible for the results of their decisions until they reach 18 (in the US). As such, parents/adults need to be able to oversee some decision being made because they can be held responsible for the teens actions. Not everything should be learned by mistakes. The importance of history is that we can learn from others past mistakes. Parents/adults should already have some of this knowledge to pass on. When it comes to the important things, there are not that many differences between generations.

There are always some exceptions where the teen seems to have more common sense than the adult, but not in the majority of cases. It's best to respect the responsibility of your parents.

Also, teens are typically not in a position to provide for themselves. They rely in a big part on parents/adults for their housing, food, clothing, medical care, schooling costs, etc. As such, they should respect those who provide for them.

Once a person reaches the legal age and is able to totally provide for themselves, then they earn the right to make all their own decisions.

Answer 3

Why seems a little harsh...... the answer to why is because teens are people too. If you are looking for some direction on how and when, where to set limits then this is what I used: First of all I am the parent and I am responsible for the BIG FIVE: your safety, education, rest, health, shelter. Anything else is gravy (that includes clothes! movies, parties). From the time they were 12 they did their own laundry and had job jars that were opportunities to earn xtra cash. They each were responsible for self-care, one household chore and homework just like I am responsible for going to work, meals and paying bills. (I once stopped cooking when chores werent being done). I wont buy anything under $5, dont ask. I use the yes rule for most other purchases. Sure you can buy designer jeans... I would spend $35 on them at walmart...so here's my $35 and you earn the rest. The YES rule is wonderful, Its very very freeing. Last, the price of freedom is information. So before you (the teen) go I have to know (I know it sounds like a commercial---and my kids probably hate it but they did live by it). I had to know the who, what, where, when, why and how just like a reporter.....when I put it to them that they could accomplish this in less than 5 mins it made it simple.

Listen, a lot, then listen some more. Be sure you know what your personal limits are on the big 5 and if it falls within that... let them be. For me, I never cared what color their hair was, or what style, what they wore. But I got to meet all their friends and as they got older, I let them believe that I just might be crazy enough to show up on a date (i do like movies and I love popcorn lol). Every now and then, stop by where they are----bring pop or chicken wings or pizza---keep it brief but be sure they know you care..... they are listening even when it looks like they are not.

If you gut instinct is no. Its probably no.
God picked you to be the parent of this particular child and you really do know whats best.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Depends on what age in the teenaged years they are at. Thirteen is quite a ways from nineteen... I think that too many people give too many teens too much control far too early. Well they allow them tomake decision then shelter them from the consequences. I think it used to be done a little different and a little better. Kids need to earn respect and their rights. I dont think that continuously telling teens that "its your right" is a good thing. People respect things that they are forced to earn. So over their teen years, they should SLOWLY gain more freedoms/rights and get to make more decisions but only as they prove they can do so fairly wisely and are able to face the consequences of those decisions.

Answer 5

There are plenty of decisions that teens can make, but bigger ones such as owning property or drinking need to be made with a mind that can fully understand the consequences of their actions. And all teens are not the same. Mine were voting in elections at 18 and they were prepared to do so. Most of their friends still don't vote. No two people are the same, plenty of people marry as teens and do fine. Others, and most, fail miserably and cause heartache that last their lifetime.

Any decision you make in life should be approached as being for LIFE, and if its something you can live with for another 75 years, realistically, then make it. But if you think those tattoo's are going to be attractive when your skin is falling off your bones, you need to think a couple of times.

Answer 6

I think teenagers are very capable of making decisions, the majority of teenagers are immediatly labelled with the stereotypical "hooligan" teenager image. Some are very intelligent, capable of mature dicussion and often more knowledgeable and socially aware than many adults. Teenagers are unlucky to be labelled as they are, but they should definately be given, at least the oppurtunity, to make decisions.

Answer 7

Teenager should be allowed to make decisions like anyone else at any age.I think we should let them make their own decisions but maybe some guidence can help

Answer 8

They can't even decide on a simple thing like what clothes to wear and will change clothes at least 4 times a day. And yet people expect them to be capable of making any decisions on their own.

Answer 9

they should be able to make decisions so they can learn to think for themselves. Im not saying that teenagers should be able to make every decision for themselves without the influence of parents though, some of their decisions can be pretty dumb.

Answer 10

they should because now is there time to figure out who they are. but at the same time they should have a leash on them so they cant make ALL the decisions.