<p>I also wonder if we let our kids be “children” longer than teens were allowed to be in the past, then will they actually end up more mature at 30, 40, or 50 years old because they had time when they were younger to live through all the phases necessary to reach maturation. How many adults do you know are immature - at least in some area of their lives? So many of us were rushed through childhood only to find ourselves as adults having to learn those lessons that should have been learned long ago? </p>
<p>It seems to me the kids who haven’t matured properly aren’t the kids who come from loving, caring, nurturing families. It’s the kids who are neglected by their parents, forced to grow up too fast, and are shoved into the adult world too soon. </p>
<p>And, it seems to me that past generations weren’t more mature. How many lived in extended family situations? How many lived in the same town as their parents often talking to their parents on a daily basis? How many depended on family members to help them raise their children or run the family business/farm? </p>
<p>I don’t know any kids who have all their decisions made for them. They are away from their parents at school, must make choices about how to interact with others (teachers, other students, school administrators, coaches, supervisors, etc.), and do plenty of things that we, as parents, would find questionable (if we only knew what they were doing when we weren’t around!) I’m happy I am able to be there for my kids, put in my two cents as they get older, and watch them learn to make their own decisions - even if it means rejecting my ideas.</p>