Curfews, And Other Limits 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.