Curfews Essay, Research Paper

Curfews, and other Limits:

Many Parents set up rules, and other boundaries in which their teens must follow. These rules are

usually placed over their teens to control, protect, and teach their teen. Even though most parents mean

well, and some rules are necessary it?s easy to overwhelm teens with regulations.

First of all teens are not going to follow all of the rules, and secondly there are some things that

certain teens will not do with, or without a specific rule on that subject. For example, there are many teens

who would never use drugs, but by placing a rule on this, the teen might not feel trust worthy, and might be

more likely to try drugs. This is not always the case though, some teens need every rule stated, or they

might test your patients. Parents should remember that they know heir teenager best, and they need to set

rules according to their own teen.

Drugs and other illegal things are often a problem with certain teens, but some teens will never try

drugs. Teenagers will turn to drugs for answers to problems. To avoid having problems with your teen,

spend time with them and talk to them. In dealing with a teen who has taken illegal drugs, you as a parent

need to try to understand why you teen has committed the crime. Only when you understand the child, then

you can give the appropriate punishment. Another important factor in discipline is to make sure that the

teen understands why what they have done is wrong, and show them scripture to explain it. If a child does

not know why what they have done is bad, they will likely do it again.

A parent needs to make sure that their rules do not contradict each other. It is easy to restrict one

bad influence, and not another. Many parents feel that they need to whom their teen hangs out with

because of their friends’ language, and general behavior. This is often the wise thing to do, but if you

restrict this, but still allow your teen to curse or watch improper movies, and TV the restriction of certain

friends will just confuse your teen.

Curfews are often needed to prevent teens from getting into trouble late at night. A curfew should

slightly vary depending on where the teen are, what they are doing, what they are planning for the following

morning, and who they are with. If your teen is with responsible adults whom you know , a curfew should

depend upon plans for the following morning if there are any. When your teen is with his friends a curfew

should depend upon how trustworthy your teen is. If your teen has broken curfew rules in the past, then an

earlier than usual curfew would be reasonable, but if your teen does not have a bad record and if they are

trustworthy they should be given more freedom, and take their opinions into context when giving a curfew.

Some well-behaved teens can be given almost full responsibility when comes to curfews. Curfews are

usually most necessary for dating. Parents cannot always give their teen permission to stay out all night on

a date. Teens can get into too much trouble when on a date late at night especially if they have a car. It is

best for a parent to make wise decisions based on each individual teen. When a teenager takes a car the

teen should have a responsibility to take care of the car, and respect other drivers. Some parents find it

effective to require their teen to help pay for gas, plus insurance, or buy their own car, and pay for it

themselves. This way the teen feels a sense of ownership, and is more responsible for what is theirs.

Teens often spend many hours on the telephone. I used to spend a lot of time on the phone. One

solution to this problem is to get a separate telephone line for the teens in your house, or at least a separate

telephone line for the computer.

When setting up rules and regulations the best things to do are make sure your teen understands the

reasons for the rule, remember to follow God?s standards when making rules, and be fair. Proverbs 24:3,4

Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled

With all precious and pleasant riches.