Teen Rights
***** Hello, guys'n'gals. The topic of the moment is Teen Rights. There are a lot of different opinions and ideas, but here are my opinions. Let me know what you think. Either sign my guest book back on my main page, or email me. Just hear me out, though. - Peace, Love, and Rock'n'Roll - Alice *****
Driving
Although it's true that there are a lot of 14 and 15 year olds out there that could never take on the responsibility that comes with driving, there are quite a few young people that are competent enough to earn their licenses. Anyone that wasn't would be rooted out by the tests just the same as anyone else.
Voting
Once again, there are quite a few young people that do not know how to make informed voting decisions. But on the other hand, there are quite a few adults the are just as clueless. If we don't get to vote now, we're only going to get stuck cleaning up the mess that is being made out of our government in the meantime.
Alcohol/smoking
Yea, both of these are pretty stupid, and no one should be using them, but making them illegal is only making it worse. In other countries where drinking is legal for all ages, there are few troubles ( DWI, alcoholism, etc. ) involving teens because drinking is not seen as such a big deal.
Schools
I will never say that school should be optional. What I will say, however, is that there is a lot of reform needed in American school systems. Some people say that students should be allowed to drop out whenever they find it fit. I say that students shouldn't want to drop out in the first place. There should also be more state/nationaly funded alternate schools ( art schools, trade schools, etc. ) available to secondary school students.
Gambling
So it's a silly thing to do. But if a teenager wants to throw his or her money away, who's the government to stop them ?
Living on ones own
Although many youth are not ready to face "the real world," many are, and should be allowed this choice. Many problems arise from young people trying to make it on their own, but no more than those that arise from disfunctional family environments.
CAT - a teen rights group
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Email: alikeigh@aol.com
