Curfews and Teens, Survey Results

5 thoughts on “Curfews and Teens, Survey Results”

1. 1.   Regardless of Georgia law, do you believe that teenagers should have parent imposed curfews?  – Comments

   Our son has always had an 11:45 curfew (to make sure he is home before the 12 am law enforced curfew and risk getting a ticket. He did sneak out using Uber a few times last year (to go to after parties we did not sanction). He was grounded for 2 months after that. Watch your Uber account!
   I set my daughter’s curfew an hour earlier than the Georgia Law mandates
   But the law does help parents with enforcement.
   Every parent should evaluate their kids maturity, where they live, family circstance, etc.
   Kids need parameters and guidance. They need to know the expectations from parents – where are they going and what time is appropriate to return home.
   Nothing good happens after midnight
   the law just makes it easier on the parents. we are the “bad guy” (to our kids) in other ways – our kids just know it is the law so they don’t question the curfew. it helps us out!
   “Sometimes they want an excuse to go home. Honestly.
   But the main thing is, as smart as they are, they really don’t always make the smartest decisions.”
   Parents are responsible for their children, but midnight is to late for anyone 16 years of age and younger.
   Yes! My curfews are earlier than the Georgia law!
   Parents should have the option of opting out for there children for reasons of work, etc but this should come with parental supervision/liability. The state needs to stop taking over our parenting job.
   Definitely!!! It IS called parenting!
   Too many parents want to be their friend and not parent…A curfew with law gives a parent backup and therefore across the board with all teens and families to keep them safe
   Out of respect for all living in the house, our house rules are just as important as the law.
   As my Dad always said, “Nothing good happens after midnight.”
   Because when they are able to drive at 16 I think midnight is reasonable. it is only on the weekends because of school Mon-Thursday
   The parent should be responsible for raising law-abiding children so their rules should be at least as strict as whatever laws are in place. If a teen is irresponsible, they should be stricter.
   “Disclaimer..
   We always asked our kids what time they expected to be home. If reasonable(and within ga law) , we said great! If not we discussed and came to an agreed time. Helping that highschooler to learn responsibility and work towards independence. Sometimes drawing a hard line in the sand, kids will push the limits and feel overly controlled. Let them learn to walk through it with you. Ultimately parents have the last word:)!”
   Regardless of the law, we as parents still need to be responsible for these young adults.
   Only if the curfew is earlier than the law requires. The worst thing a parent can do is teach their child that ‘rules don’t apply to you’ by allowing them to break the law.
   Parents should comply with GA regulations; however, parents may issue curfew that is more strict than GA curfew. I would hope. U
   They should know regardless of what the law says, God instructs children to honor their parents. I, as a parent, answer to God, and in my house, we serve the Lord and His ways of doing right.

2. 2.   What do you believe is a good typical “week night” curfew for teenagers with a Driver’s License (typically 11th and 12th graders)?  (Sunday-Thursday)  Note: the question is “typical”….I’m sure there are always exceptions.  – Comments

   There can be extenuating circumstances for going later, but on average, kids should be home at 9:00 during school year week night. Skype is a good way to do study groups and gives more flexibility, can go later rather than Panera!
   We don’t ever let our kids out after 10 PM on weeknights, but I think 11 is reasonable as some 16 year-olds have jobs.
   10 pm on school nights; 11 pm during school breaks.
   During the school week
   The only exception for me would be if they had a job that kept them out pass this time.
   Unless special occasion or school function ie. Weeknight game
   later during the summer?
   week night during the school year, unless they are working or at a school event.
   I think they should be home by 11 when they are out with friends. Sometimes school activities necessitate them being out later, but not usually.
   the high school here starts at 7;20am. Bus picks up at 6:35am. Even drivers have to leave before 7am with the traffic as it is. Furthermore, there is all this scientific research that says teenagers need more sleep than other ages.
   My kids need sleep to function in school the next day. That’s usually more important than whatever they were wanting to do out late during the week.
   at times, actual study groups are happening and the occasional away sporting event legitimately cause kids to be on the road past 10pm
   when do the possibly have time to do anything unless they are at a school activity because of schoolwork
   Some teens have jobs later so 11pm seems reasonable.
   10:30
   Getting a proper amount of sleep is paramount even at this age! And as long as homework is completed.
   This can be more flexible with teens who have jobs.
   Hopefully this is the latest depending on their commitments (i.e. sports practice, church youth event)
   I don’t have an 11th or 12th grader so am aware my answer may change once I do have one – I’ve learned that the hard way!
   Seriously, what are they doing out after 11 p.m. anyway on a school night. They need sleep as well.
   Depends on what they’re doing.
   Jobs and Study groups.. I know my 8th grader and 10th grader stay up that late nightly doing homework after sports.
   I would say earlier than 11:00 but I would imagine that some jobs and sports will end around 10:00.

3. 3.   What do you believe is a good typical “weekend” curfew for teenagers with a Driver’s License (typically 11th and 12th graders)?  (Friday-Saturday)  Note: the question is “typical”….I’m sure there are always exceptions. – Comments

   Nothing good happens after midnight with teenagers
   Although I have no problem if kids are at my house and they want to run to Waffle house or Taco Bell after 12.
   Actually we set ours at this because of the law so our teenager has an extra 30 minutes to make it home if necessary.
   Again, expectations and parameters set on where your child is. Not just roaming anywhere.
   Unless special occasion. Prom homecoming
   general rule but exceptions given by permission
   teenage drivers, for the most part, have teenage brains which science tells us are not always the best decision making tools. for the most part, being out after midnight is probably a factor for getting into trouble. problem with midnight curfews is that so many of the fall football games run late, are 1+hour drives away, that players, managers and marching band/drill team members have no choice but to drive home after 12am.
   “11:00 for 11th
   Midnight for 12th
   11:30 was splitting the difference”
   Nothing good happens after midnight.
   Also depends on how far away they are from the house. If close by, I tend to let them stay out a little bit later because they won’t be rushing home from far away.
   Depends on the situation – Midnight if they are out socializing, later if they are babysitting or have a specific function to attend.
   after an activity on Friday night at schools it is hard to be home at midnight so 30 minutes would be helpful
   Also depends on the child behavior, habits, event attending, peers attending and mannerism of the child – SP
   This time still allows freedom but not too much!
   I feel that there’s a psychological stigma if it’s before midnight so I’m thinking it will be less of a battle/argument if it’s after midnight. But as close to midnight as possible…maybe 12:30 or 1 AM.
   My senior in high school had an 11 p.m. curfew last year (with exceptions) but this year we have relaxed to midnight. She will be 18 in October and the curfew will technically no longer apply, though it will stay intact at our house.
   I said midnight but I honestly don’t know if that is a good idea either. I had to be home at 11 or 11:30 when I was a teenager. Why are we giving our teens today so much leeway. It is just a cause for trouble. I understand giving them responsibility but we need to parent these kids as well.
   Depends on event and supervision..but if they go to a 9 something movie.. by the time they get home….
   Nothing good happens after midnight! 11:30 gets them home before that.
   10 to 11 depending on the situation. I have a daughter so I’m a little more cautious for reasons including what if her car breaks down or a flat tire.
   As I tell my boys, “Nothing good happens after midnight.”
   Actually, I prefer 10:30.
   1:00am
   12:30

4. 5. What do you believe is a good typical “week end” curfew for teenagers in 9th and 10th grade who typically do NOT have a Driver’s License?  (Friday-Saturday)  Note: the question is “typical”….I’m sure there are always exceptions.  .  – Other responses

   Midnight is our house rule once you are in high school. Also our dating rule
   They need to be home before I can go to bed!
   since the parents have to pick them up
   If they break the rules then it changed to 10pm.
   My high school sophomore’s curfew is 11 p.m. because that’s about as late as I can stay up to drive to get her. Again, exceptions are made depending on circumstances.
   I as the parent don’t want to be driving kids all over too late.
   off the roads by 11
   Our children are grown and we always emphasized that curfews were in place because it was best for everyone – including parents. We absolutely cannot stay up waiting for teens to arrive home late when we have to work the next day. It’s perfectly ok to encourage teens to consider others.
   More lenient of my son who does not drive.
   10:30

5. 6. For typical nights (excluding Prom or late study groups, etc.) do you believe teens should have a blanket curfew or negotiate a new curfew every night?  – Other responses

   a little of both
   Negotiate only rarely but in certain circumstances
   Combination response
   we have found that talking about curfew (adjusting at times according to the situation or event) keeps the lines of communication open and is an easy way to show grace (or not) as we parent in the teen years.
   My parents never gave me a curfew. They trusted my judgment. Big mistake. Most teenagers don’t have great judgment.
   If kid is good and they ask in advance they can occasionally have an exception.
   Exceptions can be made- on occasion for study groups or finals
   I don’t think it should depend nighty on plans, but I feel that exceptions can be made for special events that run later on an occasional basis.
   Negotiating every time leads to arguments every time. Expectations need to be consistent and special occasions (like Prom) then remain special.
   ***Along with the curfew law, can’t find detailed information on internet about 16 year olds not having anyone but family members in car for first 6 months. I know this is a “law” or is it? Can’t find anything about violations or consequences if teen is caught doing this by officer or GDOT? Rule is clearly written but nothing about ticketing, suspension of license, etc. and just curious since it’s so loosely followed by many.
   Negotiate only rarely but in certain circumstances
   Easier for all to remember that set time.
   Only in unique situations….most of the time we have the same curfew
   exception for special plans
   It’s so much easier not to open the door to constant negotiations. A set curfew also allows the teens to make plans accordingly.
   Teenagers should know what the curfew rules are and make their plans to stay within the curfew.
   Typically it should be same but there are certain times/occasions that it could be negotiated. For example, if they are going to a Braves game it might be later than if they are just hanging out with friends at a friends house because of location, transportation, etc.
   By having the same typical curfew that doesn’t mean we won’t negotiate if they want to go to the late movie or finish watching a sporting event on television, but it gives them a good idea of where to start and our expectations and not to ask for “15 more minutes” without a good reason!
   Can negotiate the exceptions but don’t want to be negotiating every night.
   its the law
   Also depends on the child behavior, habits, event attending, peers attending and mannerism of the child – Negotiate: some children this is impossible
   Consistency is key to parenting at all ages! However, like you said, there’s always exceptions and those should be negotiated on a case by case as long as they are infrequent.
   If they fail to meet the negotiated curfew, they should lose the privilege of negotiation for a period of time. For example, they should lose it for a week after being 15 minutes late or a month for being an hour late.
   There may be exceptions.
   With exceptions for special plans (concerts, etc.)
   Willing to make exceptions at times.
   off the roads by midnight for prom and study groups, but only on weekends. Study groups should end earlier.
   Less fighting with parents. It’s a given!
   Also, we were very cautious of ‘spend the night’ parties as we were often shocked by the number of parents that allow drinking in their homes – even when it involved other people’s children. Our then 20 year old son was pulled over and given a DUI because his girlfriend’s father (a wealthy, upstanding person) had allowed our son a beer with dinner. When pulled over, our son answered honestly (big mistake but another topic) and was arrested- underage alcohol tolerance is ZERO to Dunwoody police.
   Set one expectation every night and deal with exceptions as they come. That way everyone is accountable all the time.