Why are teenagers today more obedient than teenagers in prior decades?

[Kibbiekat]

Originally Posted by redguitar77111

But what's making them so much more fearful than they were in the 1980s and 1990s? AIDS has been around since 1981 and the national drinking age has been around since 1984.

What makes you think it's fear? If it is fear, maybe it's because they really might get arrested and tried now for something that would have been a silly prank back when.

[zesty2]

Originally Posted by Kibbiekat

None of these really mean they are being "obedient." That word assumes someone has told them not to do something, so they don't do it. Personally, I think parents are more honest with their kids now than they used to be. Before, these subjects were somewhat taboo. I feel like parents are much more realistic these days. Instead of telling them, in no uncertain terms, not to have sex, you make sure they know about birth control. Instead of telling them not to drink, you tell them the possible consequences. As parent now, it is much less "because I said so" and much more "drugs or teen pregnancy could really make you life more difficult."

So in other words, they're obedient because those parents are not trying to do anything.

That's like saying crime is down these days when we never enforce any of our laws.

[Ginge McFantaPants]

Originally Posted by Kibbiekat

None of these really mean they are being "obedient." That word assumes someone has told them not to do something, so they don't do it. Personally, I think parents are more honest with their kids now than they used to be. Before, these subjects were somewhat taboo. I feel like parents are much more realistic these days. Instead of telling them, in no uncertain terms, not to have sex, you make sure they know about birth control. Instead of telling them not to drink, you tell them the possible consequences. As parent now, it is much less "because I said so" and much more "drugs or teen pregnancy could really make you life more difficult."

That's pretty much the way it was for me. I was raised by a mostly uninvolved single father, and had no rules, no curfew, no expectations beyond feeding the cat. The extent of his parenting was a half-interested "If you want to **** up your life, it's your problem. Not mine." He truly could not be bothered. And yet, I got mostly straight A's, didn't get into any trouble, never so much as cheated on a test or stole a pack of gum. I had the same steady boyfriend for most of high school (and religiously used condoms when said boyfriend and I eventually decided we were ready for sex), and hung out with good kids (most of whom had rather hands-off parents, as well). I think the worst thing we ever did was drink some Zima and watch a VHS copy of a porno.

[Kibbiekat]

Originally Posted by zesty2

So in other words, they're obedient because those parents are not trying to do anything.

That's like saying crime is down these days when we never enforce any of our laws.

That's not what I said, nor is it what the links in the OP said.

[redguitar77111]

Possibly related: In Europe, young people complain about their mothers being topless on the beach more than old people complain about their daughters being topless on the beach.

[Jen1981]

This is the result of the mass drugging of children. The rebellious kids get screened out and drugged.


Psychiatric drugs do not improve brain function or correct biochemical imbalances, they cause brain dysfunction and biochemical imbalances. These brain-disabling interventions are then considered effective when the doctor, family, patient or society views impaired brain function in the target individuals as a desirable or beneficial effect because the resulting apathy and indifference are seen as an improvement over their previously distressed and distressing state of mind or behavior.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by zesty2

I think it is because that standards for parenting are so low that even the worst kids do not seem like a big deal whereas in 1950, the parents who never pay attention to their kids now would stick out like a sore thumb.

In other words, the behavior is the same, but the bar is lower, so we incorrectly think the behavior improved because we do not want to admit our standards have gotten worse.

No doubt there is some truth to this, but there is also some truth to the less unwanted children. Also kids are more sedated/medicated today. Also you can "explore" more virtually.

[GoCUBS1]

Because today's teens are making better choices to fight less, use less drugs, drink less, date less, use condoms, etc. does not mean they are more obedient, or over sheltered, or not parented, or not free thinkers, or more risk adverse... It does not mean they are instead sitting around playing video games and popping ADD pills.

I can't believe how some can spin a positive article about teens into such negative drivel...

Perhaps this means teens are making better choices for themselves, based on educational input from parents, schools, the internet, etc. So maybe we are doing something right.

This is a very good thing. Go teens.

I am a parent of great teens who, with their other great teen friends, know which risks to take, such as:

• Working all summer and pooling all their money into their tech start-up. This generation has very high # business startups.
  
  
• Raising money (e.g. on GoFundMe) so they can start a foundation for childhood cancer research or travel to a third world country to help build a school. This generation has very high # of philanthropy/volunteer service hours.
  
  
• Traveling to Central America to scuba dive and track sea turtle eggs, or to Canada to ski and track polar bear populations, etc. This generation has a very high # of eco-tourists and international environmental/ educational travellers.

^ These are just some examples of teens taking the right risks to try to improve the world.

As a parent, local volunteer, international mission trip leader who is with teens every day, I am proud of the things that are happening with this generation, and the future they represent.