Introduction
Over the years, debates concerning instillation of curfews have taken a central part especially when discussing matters that are critical to teens. Curfews are defined as the regulations that are set requiring certain individuals to leave or be at a certain place at the stipulated time.
Some parents seem to favors curfews while others strongly discredit instillation of curfews to teens. Teen is usually considered to be the between thirteen and nineteen years of age. In my views, curfews should be the most appropriate mode of enhancing discipline to the children who are in this age bracket (Kenneth 138).
Curfews should be instilled to teens
Teens with curfews are responsible. Curfews usually teach teen’s responsibility as well as obedience. It is paramount that those who argue against curfew should understand that curfews are not meant to punish the children at that age. It is a way of demonstrating to parents that their children can be trusted as well as whether they understand how to obey the rules that are set at home.
This is the initial steps whereby teens are prepared for future responsibilities. Curfews also instills in them good morals which would enable them to live and relate well with other people as well as respect the laws of the society. Therefore, it allows them to avoid problems of breaking laws in future (Walsh 77).
Teens with curfews are protected from obnoxious circumstances. It is surprising that many parents have never understood the value of curfews in protecting the children who are at their teen age. In fact, curfews can be perceived to be a safety net which can be put in place to protect the children at that tender age.
Many scholars argue that teens should not be allowed much freedom since at their age; children are prone to experimentation of different kinds. Teens are at the age which is between childhood and maturity stage and it is at this stage that they often make wrong choices such as going to risky places at night, choosing wrong company and engaging in irresponsible behaviors which put their welfare at risk (Youth Justice Board 461).
There have been increasing reported teens’ rape cases all over the world. They also put themselves in other horrid circumstances such as exposing themselves to harsh weather conditions which put their health at risk as well as encountering road hazards. When teens go out at go out late at night, parent’s anxiety increases. This is something that can be avoided if curfews are put in place.
Teens with curfews get enough sleep which is a very important aspect at their age. Therefore, curfews are critical and should be reinforced to school going children. Often, enough sleep improves their concentration at school.
This opposed to those teens who are allowed to stay out late at night especially spending much time attending parties. Scholars argue that children who get enough sleep often perform better at school compared to those who sleep for few hours. Many teens often confuse curfews with restriction to their freedom but in the long-run, they thank their parent after discovering the benefit of curfews (Walsh 76).
There have been some opposing views that curfews makes teens resentful as well as rebel against the authority. It could be true to some extent; however, this is subject to the steps followed when setting up curfews. If the teens are involved in the setting up of curfews, chances of being resentful are avoided and the children do not rebel.
It is the duty of parents to involve teens in setting up those rules as well as communicate clearly to them the importance of setting the curfews. This is the only way which would ensure that the two parties are in consensus. The major reason for teens being rebellious is attributed to failure of parents to execute consistent consequences when rules are broken by the teens. It is therefore paramount to give consistent punishment whenever rules are broken to avoid resentfulness and rebelliousness in future.
Finally, teens with curfews get less trouble in the communities and even at schools. It is worth noting that many municipalities often formulate laws that prohibit children below the age of eighteen years to stay away from home at night, failure to which a warrant of arrest is given. They also avoid circumstances that would lead them to drug abuse which would ruin their lives (Walsh 74).
Conclusion
Curfews should not be seen as just house hold rules, instead, they should be perceived to be a means of teaching teenagers how to be responsible as well as obedience. It is apparent that curfews teach children how to respect laws, something they do even when they are past that age.
It is the duty of parents to protect teens from distasteful circumstances. This can only be achieved through instillation of curfews. In most cases, children who are allowed much freedom ends up being on the wrong side of the law and some get arrested. It has been established that teens with curfews stay out of trouble and they avoid circumstances that would lead them to selection of bad company, which would lead them to crime.
Works Cited
Kenneth, Adams. “The Effectiveness of Juvenile Curfews at Crime Prevention”. The Annals of the American Academy of Political & Social Science 587.1 (2003): pp 136 -139.
Walsh, Charlotte. ‘Curfews: no more hanging around’. Youth Justice Journal 2.2 (2002): 70-81.
Youth Justice Board. ‘Anti-social behavior orders’, The Howard Journal 47.5 (2006): 470-48