Attention:Tell me what you think!

OKay,
As a "child" I am curious to know what you adults think.

Do you in your own opinion think that a teenager should have a curfew? EXPLAIN!
Thank You,
The Worst Child Ever

 

I think so, yeah. I mean, not something like 7pm, but people need a certain amount of limitations, rules, and predictable behaviour in their lives while growing up. Stability. Letting your kid rampage about til 4am on a schoolnight smacks of not caring about your child to me

I had one growing up, 10pm on schoolnights and midnight on weekends if I wanted a ride home (lived out on an acreage), otherwise I had to stay over at a friends house that my mom knew, and leave the number and address of said place with my folks. Not unreasonable. Then again, I was a trustworthy kid, and probably would've followed those rules even if they were never vocalized

 

Yes, absolutely. Possibly not one etched in stone, but a teenager does not need to have total freedom to do as they please. Even though teenagers think they know it all, are mature, and can take care of themselves when left to themselves can make bad decisions. BTW I am the parent of four teens from 13 to 18.

Each teenager in my house is different and have not exhibited the same level of maturity and have therefore been treated differently. Our 18 y/o has been afforded much more freedom than his 16 y/o brother because he earned it. The 16 y/o, though given less freedom than his brother, has more than once proven he does not deserve it.

If you love and care for your kids you will do all that you can to keep them safe and out of situations where they could make disasterous descisions for themselves. I'm not talking about keeping teens under lock and key, but require them to be accountable for their whereabouts.

Whether you realize it or not a 14 y/o does not always make the best descisions.

 

Yes becuase I said so and Im the adult! Just kidding. I say yes really because its a matter of adults or so called are suppose to have enough will power to make sure they set thier time right to be able to do thier jobs and such. Kids tend to let fun get in the way of things as do adults. I guess its just a way for a real parent to feel a but secure in knowing certain times thier child will be around and that they (parent) have at best possibley allowed a time for the kids to have for fun and well less desirable actiities. I think it also brings forth some balance thus it should not be a time that can not flex for crtain agreed upon occasions.

 

I always had to be home before 1 am on weekends, which was fine because the buses stopped running around then and I hated bugging my parents for rides.
And I never really went out on weeknights, at least not out past 11pm.

I think it really depends on the individual.

 

growing up my dad would just tell me what time i needed to be home based on the situation and what was going on. but i've earned his trust, and remarkably, he remembers what it was like when he was a teen. now he just says "so i'll see ya when i see ya?" and i say "yup" and that's it.

 

Yes.

 

In my opinion, it truly depends on the level of maturity and responsibility exuded by the individual child.

When I was a teenager, I didn't have a curfew. On weeknights, I just assumed I needed to be home at a fairly decent hour (before my brothers were in bed at 10). And on weekends, depending upon the situation presented, my mother and I would discuss what time I should be home.

HOWEVER, in those situations, I called her when I arrived at a destination, told her who was there and what was going on. If I were going to leave for somewhere else, I would call her before we left, and then again when we arrived. She never went without knowing where I was, who I was with, and what we were doing there.

Sometimes, if there were drugs involved (because I was open with her in all things), she would tell me to stay where I was and not travel with anyone (due to the possibility of cops and idiot drunk drivers) which she never really had to say. I just knew.

So, in all, if my child were to be like I was at that age, I'd be more flexible with curfews. But if a child were to lie to me AT ALL, have bad grades at all, show themselves to be disrespectful or hateful AT ALL, there would be a definite more strict curfew...No buts about it.

 

I'm 19...so I'm not so sure what you'd consider an adult, but yes yes yes, by all means. Like someone said on tv when they imposed a city-wide curfew on kids under 16 in the area, there is no good reason a kid under 16 should be out past midnight. Really, it's not like you're missing out on much if you do have a curfew. Staying out 'til all hours has no purpose unless you're 1) an insomniac like me, 2) planning on going to a Wal-Mart supercenter, 3) a big fan of Waffle House at 3 AM, or 4) have something in mind that could get you in trouble or killed.

I'm 19 years old and still am expected to be home in the area between 1 and 2 AM nightly. I live with my parents and they want me in before too incredibly late and I understand their concern and respect their wishes. If I'm going to be very late, I always call and let them know. Parents worry. It's in their job description. Mine a little too much sometimes, but oh well. I don't see any issue with a curfew, it has a very good reason it's in place. And I advise that if your parents lift yours, you take it as a responsibility and be mature about it. Hellopeople is a great example, he's extraordinarily responsible (very mature for your age, btw, it makes me smile). You're only young once, but you only live so long anyway. Don't carelessly make a decision that will wind up putting you behind bars or in a wooden box. Your parents love you and that's why they give you limits.

 

Yes - no discussion required.

 

I think it all depends. I actually don't believe in overly strict house rules myself. I'd rather achieve mutual understanding with my children via thorough communication, than simply lay down the law and say "obey, or else!" I'd rather my kids considered our home to be the place where they could feel most comfortable, safe, and welcomed. I believe that excessively tight curfew may put them off the idea of coming home...to THEIR home. I personally would rather set a "loose" curfew and be flexible depending on various situations, because I understand that, at times, we ALL, teens or not, just aren't able to get home at a certain time period. Under the right circumstances, that should be tolerated.

That's just me, though.

 

our city has a curfew. never known it to be enforced, except for at the malls and other public hang-outs. Personally, I think it's a bit silly. Kids who are the sort to find trouble don't care what time of day or night it is, I know, I was one myself, and my parents telling me to be home at a certain time never made any difference in what time I actually came home. Responsible kids don't need curfews, and irresponsible kids won't adhere to them, so.... why bother with rules that are either not necessary or unenforceable???

 

well i dont have one....soo...i dont know if that tells u nething.

 

Parents need to know where their kids are and who they are with.

Yes, I think kids should have a curfew, appropriate for their age....a 9 year old has no business roaming the streets at midnight...

 

Haha, sorry. I'm dumb and make automatic assumptions like that sometimes. But now that I know, I shall remember!

 

To a certain degree I think that a child should have a cerfew. It's all about setting up and learning boundries.

 

I have always explained the boundaries, and quietly watched to see if the kids overstepped them. You have to have trust. You have to believe that they'll do the "right thing". If you always manage your kids time, they'll never develop the initiative to learn how to do it themselves. I alway observed their behavior, and advised on better ways to avoid mistakes. They turned out being responsible without feeling like they were on a leash. If parents are too inflexible, they can leave kids with a lot of hangups. On the other hand, parents have to provide guidance. It's all about balance.

I think curfews are effective as a corrective measure, but not as an everyday policy.

 

Of course you should have a curfew! You're 14 years old! You're in school, and you need your rest to be able to function and do your best.

Now, I can agree with extending the curfew time on the weekends, or when school is out, but other than that...I think that your parents are simply looking out for you.

Besides, where I live, there is an actual enforced curfew for minors. Not sure what the time is however.

 

I never had a curfew. When I went out, I had to be in the company of an adult until I was about 14, which I was okay with because I didn't like most of my peers anyway, and would've prefered to be in the company of an adult. After that, I always told my parents a time when I would call them if I was going to be later, but that was my own doing and it wasn't required if I had my own ride. There was never a specific time I had to be back as long as they knew when I was going to be back. It never occurred to me to stay out until three in the morning on a school night, or to leave the house without my parents knowing where I was going to be and who I was going to be with. I was a goody-goody, so I had more freedom.

I suppose it depends on the kid. If they're the kind of kid who would stay out all night, then yeah, a curfew is necessary. But if not, it isn't. Either way, they're going to get home at a reasonable hour.

 

Naw, cerfews are ghey. I don't have one but only because my parents don't even know that I go out at night.