What Are Some Rights Desired by Teenagers?

Your teen is in an awkward position, stuck somewhere between childhood and adulthood. As a parent, it is up to you to set rules and boundaries for your teen's behavior, but there a couple of things that he wants from you. Teens usually want the space to become their own, independent person, but also appreciate the consistency behind the expectations that you set. Talk to your teen about his rights as an adolescent -- and your rights as his parent.

  1. Independence

    • While your teen is not old enough to make all of his own decisions by himself, he does crave autonomy. Giving your teen the space to make decisions about his friends, social life, extracurricular activities and having a say in his education tells your teen that you trust him to make wise decisions. Of course, it is important to note that this type of trust does not come easily and only is only earned after years of successful decision-making.

    Experimentation

    • The teen brain is undergoing some huge changes during adolescence. In fact, your teen's brain is developing in such a way that he doesn't always make the best choices, his identity can change through the teen years and he has trouble seeing the consequences of his actions, according to psychiatrist Robert J. Hedaya in an article for Psychology Today. Because of this, teens need the right to experiment, whether it means hanging out with a new group of friends, changing his physical appearance or trying something new in school. Of course, your teen's experimentation may also be connected to the right to make mistakes -- and the right to experience consequences for his actions.

    Fun

    • While it might sound trite, teens are hard-wired to have fun. That is because while your teen might be in an adult's body, his brain still often reacts like a child, with a shorter attention span and a need for down time, humor and yes, fun. "Wise parents will allow their teenagers to have gatherings in their homes, with both the parents and the teenagers sharing the responsibilities," notes the Teenage Bill of Rights developed by Kaiser Permanente. Allow your teen to have social time, to goof off with friends and to have positive experiences in the home. Sure, homework, jobs and family responsibilities can take up time, but make sure there is room for fun in your teen's schedule, too.

    Expectations

    • While your teen might not list "rules" among his top rights, having clear and explained expectations should be a part of your teen's life. Your teen is old enough that simply imposing rules without reasoning can cause problems and rebellion. Instead, sitting down with your teen and spelling out your expectations as a parent can help your teen first understand the reasoning behind your boundaries and second, strive to meet those expectations through his choices and behavior. Your teen wants the right to debate boundaries and use compromise to create rules that you both can live with.

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