Talking Points: should teenagers have a curfew?
Hate it when you can’t talk back? Well, you can with Young Post. Have you say and share with students around Hong Kong
Michael Kwok Pui-hin, 15, Law Ting Pong Secondary School
I don’t think teenagers should have a curfew. The main reason parents set a curfew is that they care about teenagers’ safety. They think it’s important for teenagers who are still learning how to look after themselves.
But some teenagers might be more rebellious if they think they’ve lost their freedom. I think the best way to help teenagers mature is to let them understand the importance of being responsible and train their time management skills.
Ady Lam, 11, Island School
I believe that teenagers should have a curfew. There are exams to prepare for, revision notes to be finished, homework to be completed. If you stay out way too late, then you’ll have less time for work. Not to mention, a lot of shady dealings and bad things happen late at night. Going home early means that there’s less chance of you being hurt, or worse.
Eunice Yung Po-yiu, 15, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School
I think teenagers should have a curfew. It can be pretty dangerous for teenagers at night. I’m sure their parents would worry about them if they were out all night. Besides, if they are out late at night they might meet some bad people, or get mixed up with the wrong crowd. It’s certainly not safe. This is why I think teenagers should have a curfew.
Joy Lee, 14, South Island School
I believe that teenagers should not have a curfew as it doesn’t allow for freedom: teens should learn to be independent and take care of themselves. That includes choosing their own times to go home, and parents should trust them to do so. It is often said that teens are told to act like adults but are treated like babies, and a curfew would only fuel these feelings. That said, I believe that teens should have a means of communicating with their parents while out, such as a mobile phone, so that their parents can feel more at ease.
Ally Chan, 15, Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School
The biggest problem with curfews is that they could lead to arguments between parents and teens. Curfews are thought of as something negative. Generally, curfews are connected to prisoners or suspects. As something that limits a person’s freedom, it’s understandable that they are viewed as a punishment.
But this doesn’t mean teenagers shouldn’t have curfews.
Responsible parents don’t give their children whatever they want. They love them by ensuring their safety. Letting teens run around at night is not a sign of responsible or safe parenting. Teens can sometimes be forgetful and irresponsible. They should be given curfews to keep them safe and to teach them to follow instructions and to be a more responsible person.
In our next Talking Points we’ll discuss:
Are video games with violence suitable for young people?
We are now accepting answers from readers for this topic. To take part, email your answer with your name, age, and school, along with a nice, clear selfie (make sure it’s not blurry), to [email protected] by lunchtime on Monday, January 9. Don’t forget to include “Talking Points” in the subject line.