People rise to your expectations. Teenagers are on their way to becoming adults, and it is important they are allowed to take on some of the responsibilities and thinking of adults. In turn, teens showing signs of personal responsibility and integrity will be respected by others. All people with these traits are respected.

This does not mean that we should expect teenagers to behave like adults in all ways and put too much pressure and responsibility on them. There is a level of tolerance that needs to be exercised here. They should be baby-stepped to higher levels of responsibility as they mature.

On the other hand, if teenagers are truly acting out and being inconsiderate of the people around them, the way people react is an important learning exercise. They should not be excused from inappropriate behavior if it's impacting other people because they are teenagers; excusing bad behavior is called enabling. Putting up with bad behavior from anyone at any age is a good way to enable them to continue the stupidity.

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