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It would have rediculous for my parents to suggest it. They trusted me to drive around pretty much anywhere and hold a job without getting in much trouble. How

It would have rediculous for my parents to suggest it. They trusted me to drive around pretty much anywhere and hold a job without getting in much trouble. How much more dangerous could the internet be than driving through a sketchy area. Their trust made me far more responsible than I would have been if they tried to treat me like a child when I was in my mid-late teens. I knew if I screwed up it was on me and would've felt bad that they misplaced their trust. Kids loooovvveee being treated like adults, I wish more people would use that as leverage. I think many parents these days make the transition from guardian to mentor years too late

schrodinger 8y ago
I think you raise a good point that children grow into the responsibility they’re given.
rich_ard 8y ago
While I can't speak to 'all parents', I can say that as a parent of five, kids develop significantly differently. We've been treating our oldest daughter as basically an adult since she was 13 or 14; the next-oldest is getting there, at 15. Next couple down the line we have to monitor more closely.
ddingus 8y ago
Indeed. Secondly, lowest common denominator often creates difficult scenarios. What I was capable of, at say age 14, was not the norm. Fortunately, I lived in a time and place where that was accepted and there were few issues. I once spent a few months writing assembly language. I heard get outside a few times, but that was it. Later, spent another one fixing an old car, to be my first. Then, out alone in the deep woods with a friend for a few days. It was like that growing up. A wide range of experiences. Some easy, others not so easy. Danger was present. One paid attention, or faced it. So pay attention. Rough, but valuable. When I parented, I faced similar. Ran it about the same way. Some of my kids could handle it. Others could not, or did later. The one who really could, a lor like me in that, currently travels the world. Good.

schrodinger 8y ago

I think you raise a good point that children grow into the responsibility they’re given.

rich_ard 8y ago

While I can't speak to 'all parents', I can say that as a parent of five, kids develop significantly differently. We've been treating our oldest daughter as basically an adult since she was 13 or 14; the next-oldest is getting there, at 15. Next couple down the line we have to monitor more closely.

ddingus 8y ago

Indeed. Secondly, lowest common denominator often creates difficult scenarios. What I was capable of, at say age 14, was not the norm. Fortunately, I lived in a time and place where that was accepted and there were few issues. I once spent a few months writing assembly language. I heard get outside a few times, but that was it. Later, spent another one fixing an old car, to be my first. Then, out alone in the deep woods with a friend for a few days. It was like that growing up. A wide range of experiences. Some easy, others not so easy. Danger was present. One paid attention, or faced it. So pay attention. Rough, but valuable. When I parented, I faced similar. Ran it about the same way. Some of my kids could handle it. Others could not, or did later. The one who really could, a lor like me in that, currently travels the world. Good.