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Teens views: Is driving a privilege or a right?
Results so far:
| Privilege | 71% | 181 votes | Total: 255 votes | |
| Right | 29% | 74 votes |
Privilege
by Rita Kimbro
Created on: July 31, 2009
Allowing a teen to drive is a privilege not a right. The most important factor in this decision is knowing the teen. There are some teens who can not handle the responsibility of driving. Society has made us feel that our teens are entitled to drive at age sixteen, simply because the law allows it, does not mean it is a right. If your teen is confident and reliable in other areas of his or her life, then the responsibility may be something they can handle. However, if they are easily led or have low self esteem, the ability and opportunity to drive may be something they can not handle.
The parents must set guidelines and enforce them consistently. The teen may resist initially, but this can be a useful tool for them to use to avoid peer pressure. For example, if the rule for using the car is no more than one other person allowed to ride with your teen, when that group wants to joyride, your teen can resist by saying they are not allowed to have more than one other person in the car. If your teen is aware that they will lose the privilege of driving if they violate the rules they are more likely to obey the rules. The sense of entitlement that many teens feel is because we are not clear that the opportunity and responsibility of driving is a privilege.
Responsibility for a car or the use of one is not something that should be taken lightly either. Sit your teen down and explain to them the expenses involved with maintaining a car such as insurance, repairs, and the financial responsibility of owning a car. Understanding the cost will give the teen a better appreciation of the privilege of driving. Making them responsible for their own insurance, whether it is the additional amount incurred for adding them to the family policy or the cost of their own policy. Having them be responsible for their own gas and maintenance on the vehicle they use is also a good way to teach the teen the cost of the privilege.
An automobile can be a lethal weapon in the hands of a teen, they can endanger themselves and others. Making sure they receive the proper training and personally taking them on the road multiple times yourself is very important. If you suspect your teen is involved with alcohol or drugs the privilege of driving should be suspended immediately by you before the tragic results happen. Be vigilant ,take notice of changes in behavior or grades if the driving is having a negative result on your teens life, don't hesitate to suspend the privilege.
One final observation, never make your child's driving privilege a result of your convenience. For example, you don't have time to take them to their events so it is easier to let them drive. The teen will use this to negotiate the privilege if you decide to revoke the privilege. For example if you take away the privilege, the teen will remind you that you will have to adjust your schedule to take them to their events. Always be prepared to give up the convenience if necessary.
Learn more about this author, Rita Kimbro.
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Right
by Scarlett Neveu
Created on: February 27, 2010
In my opinion (coming from a teenager), driving is a right and should be considered as such. Anybody has the right to travel in their vehicle to get from point A. to point B. whether that person is sixteen or sixty. As long as that person is informed and knowledgeable about what they are doing and they abide by the law, no-one should be deprived of driving, nor should it be considered a "privilege" because when you think about it, driving is not the problem: it would be the places a teenager would go having access to a car or perhaps the car itself is the problem- maybe it could be "borrowed" without permission and this is why the teenager would be told that driving is a privilege. Driving is merely guiding and getting a car (and yourself) from one place to a destination. It's like walking- only quicker and you don't use your legs.
Legally speaking, I believe that as long as the teenager has a license and access to a car, he/she has the right to drive it. Of course, getting grounded from driving or going places is another thing all together.
Driving is something that I think every teenager looks forward to. All my friends tell me excitedly on the phone how "they got their permit!" or "they passed the driver's test!" etc. Driving a car gives the word "responsibility" a whole new meaning to teenagers. Not only are they responsible for the lives of those in the car, they are responsible for the car itself and the other cars and passengers they might encounter on the road. Therefore, teenagers are propelled to think and analyze and comprehend about the safety of others.
Driving shouldn't be considered a "privilege" It is a necessity- just as taking the subway to work is. Driving to work, going to get groceries, visiting friends and family, going to school- this is all necessary things that are usually accomplished by driving. If driving is a privilege and is deprived from some teenagers (for whatever reason), not only are countless opportunities wasted (driving to a job for instance), but then they miss out on learning to be aware of the safety of others and being responsible for them. I could compare it to germs: if germs are withheld from the body, how is the body expected to know how to protect itself? How is a teenager supposed to be responsible if the opportunities to be responsible are withheld from him/her? Driving is a right and should be considered as such in my opinion.
Learn more about this author, Scarlett Neveu.
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