Adulthood- Rachel Eddy and Ms. Williams

At what age should teenagers be introduced to adulthood and face some of the mature issues adults encounter and why?

 

 

By Rachel Eddy   

 

Teenagers all over the world are being introduced to problems of adulthood too early in their lives. Some take on the role of being a parent in their teens for various reasons, when most young adults haven’t reached that stage in their life yet. All the time we hear, “Children are too young for that.” With all the pressure on us to act our age, teenagers may ask, “When is the suitable age for us to be taking on adult responsibilities and to begin to act like an adult?” The answer may be different depending on the generation you ask.

 

In my opinion, teenagers should be introduced to adulthood in their early twenties. Although a person is legally an adult as of the age of eighteen, I don’t believe it’s logical for eighteen year olds go off to college, get used to living away from their friends and family, and accept taking care of themselves alone all in the same year. Going to college is a huge transition in a person’s life and for it to be the entrance to adulthood at the same time is overwhelming to young people who are just graduating high school. Only after their new way of living has become normal and familiar to them can young people accept the duties of paying their rent, bills, and other adult tasks.

By Kristen Williams

 

I think it depends upon the teenager, their maturity level, and what the adults in their lives have already taught and prepared them for. I believe as children grow and develop, they go through stages, and as they become teenagers, they seem to want to take a more independent role in making their own decisions. However they may not have been prepared and could learn some hard life lessons. At the same time, I think teenagers need to be taught some accountability and responsibility on adult issues, but still need the guidance of parents. Being a teenager is a tough time and some of the hardest years of your life! Hopefully, your parents will begin planting seeds early on in life to help prepare you for adult issues. For example, my husband and I are preparing our young children (ages 4 & 6) how to clean and pick up after themselves and to not leave things lying around the house. As our children grow it prepares them to put things back where they got them from to keep a clean, neat room which leads to a clean home of their own one day. Obviously we wouldn’t teach our children this lesson at 2 months old because they wouldn’t understand and they cannot pick anything up at this age. My point is that some teenagers don’t understand adult issues either if they have not been taught about issues they may face.

 

 

 

 

 

I think there are different teenage years to face different adult issues. For example, a 13 year old can begin doing jobs around the house and be compensated for the job they do. This prepares them and shows them the importance of working to earn money or food which is a biblical principle. Doing the job and earning the money also brings new responsibility of how to handle and spend the money earned? 13 year olds may want to buy toys or games, while a 16 year old may save money for a computer or car. An 18 year old might be saving for college or apartment. Teaching financial lessons early on in the teenage years teaches the teenager the importance of trying to live within their means and to not waste money. They have to be shown what to do with the money they earn.

As for relationship issues, I do not agree with any teenager having a boyfriend or girlfriend! If you have time to think about a boy/girl then you don’t have time to think about more important priorities like God, family, school, sports, or other extracurricular activities you may be involved in. There is a time for those types of relationships but they can wait. You will benefit and save yourself from heartache if you wait, especially for the boys to mature.