Adults and Teens- William Crump and Ms. Reynolds

When should adults listen to teenagers, and when should teenagers listen to adults?

 

By William Crump

 

Teenagers should listen to adults when it’s about topics they are well researched in, such as politics, previous experiences that have to do with the matter, and about education. They should listen to these subjects because they don’t have many life experiences, they don’t have a complete education, and they don’t take detailed interest in politics except, perhaps, who occupies the current presidential seat.

Adults, on the other hand, should listen to teenagers when the conversation is about video games, horror movies, the best phone to have, and good jokes/pranks. Most teens spend most of their time on playing video games, watching movies, using their phones, and joking or pulling a prank on their friends. So of course they would be able to hold a conversation about most of the topics I mentioned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Donna Reynolds

 Teenagers today have more opportunities to make bad decisions than they did in years past .As parents/teachers, we should always be willing to listen to our teenagers and resist the urge to judge or advice; sometimes just being heard helps. Even though they're often reluctant to admit it, they seek approval, love, and a "soft place to fall". Listening is the key to finding out how they really feel. Adults should really listen ( stop whatever they are doing, make eye contact, don’t interrupt) anytime a teenager is talking to them…whether they are giving the details of their school day, explaining the plot of a movie they just saw, or opening up about something that is bothering them . The old adage of “Children being seen and not heard” certainly does not apply to teenagers!

As a classroom teacher and Mom I would often tell my students/children that they were given two ears and one mouth for a purpose…so they could do twice as much listening as they did talking. No- adults aren't always right, and Yes- you do have the option of RESPECTFULLY questioning us , but we have so many more life experiences to draw upon and are hoping to save you from learning lessons the hard way. You have probably heard the saying that “hindsight is 20-20” ; when we offer advice, suggestions, or even ultimatums it is because of the “hindsight” we have gleaned through our own experiences. While it might seem “uncool” to listen to your parents (teachers, other adults that care about your well-being) you should always listen and then draw your own conclusions and make your own choices..realizing that if you act like a responsible adult you will more than likely be treated as one.