I was really inspired to respond to a comment we got on our “Not In My House” video.
A reader, Fred, had this to say:
Teenagers are not mature enough to think about possible consequences (sorry, Scout);that?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s what parents are for…C?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢mon, Scout, for pete?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s sake.
If there is one thing that pisses me off that adults do, it’s when they totally patronize kids and teenagers, and make disgustingly gross rationalizations about their intelligence. It is ignorant of adults to catagorize all people in one age range to certain commercialized stereotypes. If this was done in reverse, all teenagers would associate all people in their 60′s (that means you, Fred) with President Bush! And you most likely wouldn’t like that very much!
However, I think that you, Fred, could not be more right. You’re right! Teenagers never think about consequences! And adults are always rational and correct!
For example: Two weeks ago my parents had a cocktail party. Everyone there drank, and drank a lot. Many of the adults who left should not have driven, but they did. In fact, two of the adults there (who also happen to be parents/aka possible consequence gurus) were so wasted, I was horrified to imagine them driving home. I was actually worried for them. But now I am not worried for them, thanks to you Fred. Thank you, Fred, for helping me to understand that no matter how stupid or irresponsible some parents can be, they are still parents, and thus can make no bad choices; that’s my job!! 
I am so happy that you, Fred, so clearly and eloquently stated what I believe many are thinking, but few are ballsy enough to actually say: “Teenagers are not mature enough to think about possible consequences…”
This could not be truer. I never once stayed home on a Friday night to do homework or study for a test. I never once turned down drugs from a friend. I never once told a friend to think about what they were doing before they did something they would regret. I never once chose to take the harder, more difficult path because I knew it would be more ethical. I never once turned down an invitation to do something fun so that I could focus more on my work, or another important task at hand.
And finally, I never once yelled at Joan to take the bus home from the city, rather than drive, when she was clearly drunk, and unable to drive! Never!
What’s a consequence? I don’t know- I’m 17!
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