To have or not to have

Society considers you as an adult at 18 and gives you a bunch of different rights. But they don’t give you the privacy of an adult until you turn 18. Some examples are freedom of speech, and the right to bear arms, which also provide you with more privacy. While as a kid, people believe that you only have the rights that your parents give you. Children can not carry weapons or vote on the ballot like adults. Teenagers need to have an increasing level of privacy as they age. Young teenagers need a lot of oversight by adults, but as they age this oversight should fade.

Young teenagers still require support and guidance from their guardians, they still need to learn how to make good decisions and what is right and wrong. The older children get they should slowly gain that independence. As they age, they begin to mature and learn how to make decisions responsibly. For example, kids should have the right to spend their money how they please, and even be able to take themselves to the doctor without parents present.

Children’s rights don’t qualify as “rights” to most parents. Teenagers aren’t allowed the freedom that they deserve. I know a mom who thinks their child shouldn’t have freedom of speech because they are too young. Her children should do what they say and limit their rights to what they see fit. They are not allowed to have their opinions in public or the home. They are also not allowed to have different opinions. But need to do adult-like actions like having a job, and doing chores. We get told that we can’t do this and only can do this at this time. In my personal experience, I had to get good grades in school, have a job, pay bills, and get an attitude when I’m not home in my free time because I’m on “the road too much”. But when am I allowed to be a teenager? Parents want teens to have the responsibilities of an adult, but not the privacy. Parents want their children to do and act how they want. For example, they have to act like adults with bills, responsibilities, and chores but don’t give them privacy like knocking on their bedroom door,

Older teenagers should be allowed to closely mirror the rights of adults, as their responsibilities do. They are often working, involved in extracurricular activities, or taking care of siblings. All of these are responsibilities of an adult. These responsibilities require teens to manage their time and show responsible behavior. They teach teenagers skills such as money management, scheduling, and life skills. With this level of independence should come an equal level of privacy.

Teenagers should have the same privacy rights as adults as they age because it allows them to learn from their mistakes and mature. Being a child you need to have that support and guidance from a parent to learn what is right and wrong. But as you age you continue to grow and mature which should allow you to gain your privacy as well.

“Universal Declaration of Human Rights” by United Nations Photo is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.