As a teen I shared a room with my siblings. There was no such thing as privacy. My sisters came and went as they pleased and even touched and moved my belongings. My parents also had unlimited access to my room and my things.
These days I often hear people talk about the need for teen privacy and space. Parents should not invade a teens space not go through their things. This concept is still foreign to me.
This concept is based on the assumption that the teen actually owns something such as their clothes, their toys and trinkets, or even their room. They do not.
As one friend of mine likes to say, everything in this house and in the teens room in owned by the parent and given to the child on loan. This means that as the rightful owner of the property that the teen uses, I have every right to check on my property and make sure it is being taken care of.
I am sure there are those that disagree, that that is common when it comes to raising kids. Different people see different actions in a different light. What some see as invading the property of a teen, others see as protecting that teen from secrets they may be hiding. What some might consider as giving them space, others see danger in allowing a child to seclude themselves from the family.
Sure, teens need some privacy from time to time but in my estimation, Their room really is just on loan to them, and I have every right to enter their space and help them to keep it clean. I also have the right to demand they not shut themselves away from family.
That’s where I am on this debate. Where do you stand?
~If you liked this you should also read my other posts at the home blog, the homeschooling blog, the parents blog, and the frugal blog. You can read my recent posts here.
Privacy, Teens and Parents-Part One
Privacy, Teens and Parents-Part Two