When should parents let teens make their own decisions?

India
February 27, 2010 5:43am CST
As a parent, this is a relevant question for me. Perhaps parents out there can cast their views to throw some light onto this question. Even people who are not yet parents can make a valuable contributioin to this?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
27 Feb 10
I don't believe there is a set age for freedom of certain decisions. How grown up and how responsible your teen is should be the guideline for these things. If you for example want your teen to be responsible and handle their own money, you should start by teaching them at a young age how to pay for things, do little groceries and let them save money for toys they want. Give them a little more responsibility at a time. Otherwise when your child hits their teens the responsibilties are overwhelming. This applies to basicly everything.
• Philippines
1 Mar 10
hi cyberfluf...I get your point. Its also right to train a child for being responsible on small things. It helps them to be responsible on simple things in their life and also the future things they will encounter. Its like developing skills where in it requires proper learning and guidance to succeed...
• Philippines
1 Mar 10
I think when a person experienced to work, that's the right time when the parents should let their sons or daughter make their own decision in life. If a person experienced the hardwork it requires to have money, they become more responsible enough for their self (if they care for their work). I mean, they were able to experience the reality of life. Enjoying the teenage life is not bad with the guidance of parenting. We develope a new level of maturity when we experience what's life is about and why we need to work hard for it. During this times proper decision makings are developed so they end up having the right choice in life.
• India
27 Feb 10
i dont know the reason exactly but i think in most of the cases the teens wont hear the parents decision and hence they may leave them so that they underatand things after doing them . the second one is parents should not interfere in all the decisions after some age and some rights should be given to the children too . for example choosing a career should be done by the children alone but the parents can give some suggestions .
• India
27 Feb 10
Since I am not a parent but yet I believe that it depends on the child. If your child is mature enough to take decisions then you should trust him or her but I would not prefer to give him complete freedom because experience is a thing which only comes by age.