Why it’s best to let teens think for themselves (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Why it’s best to let teens think for themselves

4:41pm Tuesday 5th August 2008 in

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Independence is defined as being free from control or influence from others. Whether it is a good thing however, I don’t believe can be clarified as easily as that.

Throughout the adolescent years, independence is one thing that is most strived for, as it is during these years that you first express who you are and, to use the cliche, ‘find the real you’.

The amount of independence that should be given to us as teenagers is a controversial topic. Of course, you get extreme types of parenting from a very lax attitude to very uptight and strict parents, but do either of these approaches actually influence us profoundly?

Both types of extreme parenting have flaws. If there are too many rules and regulations then often teenagers are simply forced into a corner until they find a way out, whether that is through drugs, alcohol or crime.

On the other hand, ‘laisez-faire’ parents don’t exert their right as parents to show control and put into action guidelines that their children should follow.

The consequences of having too few boundaries that can easily be crossed as adolescents seem to have been headlined all over the news throughout the past weeks. Everyone seems to think that crime perpetrated by teenagers could easily be avoided if the parents set out clear rules for their children to follow. But, does anyone else think that rules are meant to be broken?

Obviously parents do provide role models to their children but I believe the problems of knife crime and vandalism that have been publicised recently are simply due to the fact that there is nothing else to do in the streets.

Different outlets and activities such as youth centres and sports fields should be made more accessible to more people. Gangs in certain areas like to protect their ‘turf’, but are excessive means like knives really needed to do this?

Some people blame the music industry for having a negative impact on today’s adolescents. However, I don’t believe that lyrics used in tracks are to blame. I believe that grime artists (urban musicians) such as JME, Kano, Skepta and Tinchy Stryder are positive idols, as they show another outlet and a way of expressing feelings through writing lyrics and producing music.

On the other side of the spectrum, the positive affects of independence balance with the negative traits that it brings. The act of decision-making comes into play when we as teenagers are in put in a position that encourages us to act spontaneously.

Whether it is getting a summer job or going on a night out, this opportunity to act on our own without guidance from parents is very character building. This, I believe, gives us opportunities to think for ourselves and provides an insight into what life is like in ‘the real world’.

I believe it is necessary for teenagers to have independence to a certain extent. It is up to us to make mistakes and learn from them. If we are closely monitored and trapped all the time by our parents enforcing strict rules on us then it is almost a given that this will cause the opposite and unwanted result to happen.