by Lissa Leigh

Created on: June 29, 2009   Last Updated: June 30, 2009

There are mixed feelings on this topic. Yes, teens shouldn't be out past certain times to help stop crime against them and by them. The issue isn't about making laws to arrest/punish teens that are staying out past curfew. The issue should be good parenting. Do you know where your children are? Do you know what they are doing? Do you know who they are out with? This law doesn't belong on the books, it belongs in the home.

It's 10pm on a school night. Is your child out running around? Is their homework done? Are their chores done? Are they making good grades in school? If not, they should be home, and it's your responsibility as a parent to make sure your children have the best opportunities in life. Very few kids like school these days. It's sad, but that's what it has come to.

There are so many pressures to be the 'cool kids' and kids that work hard at making good grades and being in after school clubs, are branded as geeks. It's cool to go out and drink as a teenager, it's cool to go out and smoke cigarettes, it's cool to go do drugs. Children that were aware of these temptations, but knew better and had other activities to keep them busy, usually don't get into these kinds of things.

Teens need stimulating activities to help them grow as people. Teenagers make bad decisions, it's part of growing up, and learning from good and bad decisions makes you the person that you are. Teenagers need guidance and everyone could use a little help now and then. We need to help our children make the right decisions in life.

Let them know about your experiences, tell them about the mistakes you made and the consequences that you had to pay for making these mistakes. Every parent can sit their child down and tell them don't do this or that because it's bad, it will get you into trouble. Let them know what kind of trouble. Sit down with them every night and watch the news, let them see what happens to children that aren't getting the supervision that they need. Talk with them. Communication is key.

Every teen out there knows some girl that got pregnant before they were out of high school. Every teen knows some guy that was arrested for drugs, or underage drinking. How did they get into these situations? Why was the teenage girl allowed to have boys in her room? Why were the teenagers allowed to date without an escort? Why were the teens allowed to run the streets at night and go to drug dealers? Where are the parents?

People need to raise their kids, not let the government raise them. An age-based curfew law could be helpful, but only if the parents are enforcing it in their households.

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