It's not an age thing, your parents are just more traditional than normal. I am 23 and I never really knew what "talking back" meant, because my parents didn't

It's not an age thing, your parents are just more traditional than normal. I am 23 and I never really knew what "talking back" meant, because my parents didn't think it was wrong, and I thought it was weird that there are families where children could not speak until they were spoken to. Knowing how extremely annoying and noisy kids can get, I understand the rationale from a utilitarian standpoint. I think it's sort of backwards and encourages a submissive personality, but it's much better than just putting up with it until you snap and beat the crap out of them like I've seen in some families. Guilt was a common disciplinary tool used and still sort of used by my mother. Guilt and getting yelled at and told you're useless and not good enough. I think whatever method is going to encourage self-discipline is the best. A strong willpower is a very useful tool, not only to control yourself but to know when other people are trying to control you; my brother has an amazingly strong one so I guess my parents didn't mess up, I can't quite say the same for myself but I think I'm pretty stubborn and stoic.