If i had a dollar for every time i've heard someone bagging teens behaviour lately i'd be a rich woman, "their lazy", "their stupid", "they dont know what hard work is" that kind of thing.
I dont know about anyone elses experiences but my son is 15 he goes to school 5 days a week, year 10 now, from 8:10am til 2:20pm, he gets home at 3pm and has enough time to change into his work uniform and then we are off to Maccas for his shift.
His shift goes from 4pm til between 10:30 and 11pm 6 nights a week, he works hard and has a great work ethic, so much so that he was offered a traineeship with a view to a management position upon turning 18. So now he also studies for his retail cert 2 ( i have no idea how he finds the time or energy.
The funny thing is, that he is one of those rebellious kids when in school, mouthy, lazy and generally cant be bothered, so his teachers think he is a no hoper. This all started when a few teachers started picking on him as he has piercings and dyes his hair, he used to love school but now its a chore, could be worse tho at least he still goes.
Anyway to cut a short story long....whats your experience with the teens in your life or teens in general? i think they get a bad rap because of a few idiots.

i dont think very highly of the ones that i know. they are lazy, have an entitled attitude and are very happy to live off the government and bag them for not getting enough. and others just want to study till they are 30 and go on and on about how smart they are and how certain jobs are beneath them.

unfortunately this is all my family.

it is very rare that i come across teenagers who arent like that. i know that there is, i just dont get to meet them that often.

and if teachers are picking on your son, then i would be reporting the incidents.

my nieces and nephews always blame the teachers for their behaviour and poor work ethic. you still need to be responsible for your own actions.

I honestly don't like a high majority of teenagers, most especially around here. There can be some who show maturity and respect but there there is the very HIGH majority who don't and ruin it for the rest of them. I am only young myself but never was a teenager mentally, I had too many responsilities and had no choice but to grow up fast so that made getting along with other teenagers downright hard. Though really we shouldn't expect them to be mature at that age but seeing as how I was raised i don't completely understand how it can be hard not to, I don't understand the lack of common sense, though in saying that there are definately alot of adults out there that have never grown out of the teenage stage lol
It's just a phase for them really, some go through it and some don't smile We can't put them all in the same boat.

As for the teaachers picking on him, he can eiher ignore it and prove them wrong, by being rebellious he is just proving them right or he can report them and teach THEM a lesson. I was also teased by teachers in highschool, called a no hoper, a freak, was sent to the pshyciatrist countless of times because in their words they thought I was weird and too quiet. I never reported them though because I didn't care but I hope he can make a stand and show them that it's not on.

I actually think very highly of the teenagers I know. They have a level of understanding toward each other, toward how people feel that was never around when I was their age. Sure there's still peer pressure and the need to fit in, but thats perfectly normal at that age.... they don't know who they are as a person yet which is why that happens.

Why would we expect them to show maturity? They are at that highly confusing age between child and adult.... they have hormones that cause their moods to do all kinds of things and they really can't help that.

When you take the time to talk to a teenager like theyre worth something.... they light up. They very much are still like children in that they respond to the manner that they are treated.

Now I know there are some sh!ts of teenagers around... but you can't tar them all with the same brush. I know some very awesome kids that I'm grateful to have in my life... and everyone of them has shown me nothing but respect and admiration, as I am one of the eldest children in my family I have 17 teenage cousins - at various times they've all come to me for chats about their problems and some pop round to visit me out of the blue. They like to be treated like adults and listened to. They respond very well to that.

I hope I can guide my kids through that difficult time with patience and care.... I had a hard time as a teen and had no one to turn to. I suspect there are many in that boat because adults brush off their problems as insignificant - when those problems are very real to them due to lack of life experience.

I think adults expect too much of them. They're not adults and we should lead by example and be there to help them learn from their mistakes or celebrate their victories with them.

That's a hard one because everyone is different and there are rude and lazy 30 year olds I know! My brother is 19 and extremely lazy but he suffers depression and has a good heart just struggles to get motivated. I do know teenage dole bludgers too but I also know 40 year old dole bludgers so it's hard to stereotype.

I have a 14yr old son as well, he tests his boundaries as any other child does to his parents, but overall he is pretty good. We don't let him roam the streets or dump him at the local shopping centre for "babysitting" in the holidays like a lot of other parents we know. He is a bit of a homebody, but is quite active and represents our region as well as his club for soccer so he has no time for a job, even though he desperately wants one, we are lucky enough to be in a position where we can provide him with all that he needs.

The one thing I do notice is the language, I mean we swear, our son doesn't, but some of his friends have real potty mouths and what is with the girls and their sexual poses on Facebook? I always wonder whether their parents know about them. I do think that girls are more out of control, swearing, fighting, bullying and I think it is worse because of the social media, I mean I did some bad things and there were a few fights at school, but not punch-ups as such, just slapping and yelling.

It certainly isn't easy at times, and try disciplining your child who is now towering over you, lol, we hit him where it hurts by withdrawing privileges or his gadgets, certainly makes him "toe the line"!

I guess this is another group where we can't lump them all together. There are those that are mature and responsible for their age, and those that don't really care about anything and act that way. Often the way a child behaves & talks is because of the influences around that child - whether from the parents or other family members or close friends (not aiming at anyone, just some children).

Generally ZERO respect and ZERO initiative. Which ruins it for the few decent ones.

They are rude and i have alot of younger cousin who think that the best thing in life is drinking and party every weekend and when 1 of their mum's says get a job their son goes crazy and he mates join in.

But i do have a couple of cousin who work very hard now that their in their 20's and they both regret the way they where & try and tell their younger cousin/siblings that this isn't the way to be.

They act like the world owes them something.

Wow mixed responses there!
so im thinking the general consensus is..theres good and bad out there but its the minority ruining it for the majority.
Its just too bad that so many of us only see the bad side cos theres some really awesome kids out there.
regarding the teachers, my son has just given up trying to please them and has decided to prove them wrong by applying himself within the workforce, one teacher actually bagged him for working at maccasand said flipping burgers will get him nowhere, he told the teacher he plans to become a barrista and the teacher told him it was a sh*t job also on the path to nowhere.
Son just said to him "well, you go on believing that but when im earning more than you i will be expecting an apology" this didnt go down so well with the teacher but when the school called me to complain about his lack of respect for the teacher i laughed at them, any child that has a job and works his butt off should be praised and not downgraded for their choice of career.

sidenote: we just found out that he is getting an award tonight at his work xmas party (yes xmas party lol) dont know what it is yet but im really proud of him as he has only worked there for 7 months and is really making an impression with his initiative. I hope his baby sister grows up and learns from her big brother as well as mum and dad.
thanks for the insight ladies

I go by each person actually, I base my opinion when I have got the chance of being around/seeing for awhile. I have met some lovely teenagers and I have met some horrible ones so in general I don't have bad views of them just the ones that are

hope that makes sence

my oldest girl is 15 and she is in year 11. She also has a job at kmart when she is here she travels 2hrs to do her shift she isnt one of those short shorts swearing drinking kind of girls she is also doing a tafe course. She isnt loud as some but she has fun but she still has a big kid heart i am really proud of my girl. We talk about everything im her friend but im her mother first

Wow jodie that is one very rude teacher. I would actually be demanding an apology from him for being judgmental, discriminatory, discouraging and just plain horrible. First jobs are always underpaid and somewhere that is deemed a 'dead-end' job. My 15 year old cousin was told by a teacher to be careful working at woolies... because a lot of people just get stuck in that job forever and go no where. Wtf is up with that attitude? They are still at school and can only work limited hours! Do they expect then to jump straight into high paying, classy jobs?

Starting at the bottom helps them to realise the value of working hard to make not much money, and for the ones I know shows them the importance of getting good grades so they can be accepted into a course they want to do. Teachers should have more respect and be encouraging them, not belittling them. Grrrrrr...

Its unfair that all teens are labelled lazy, rude, selfish etc
When i was a teen i got a part time job, often spent friday nights and the whole weekend working.

Jobs like maccas, woolies etc are a great stepping stone into the work force - future employers know you've atleast had experience and are willing to work! What a cow of a teacher?? It really shites me that people assume EVERYONE is going to go to uni and end up a lawyer, doctor etc. Someone has to do those jobs that aren't quite as glamorous as others!

I saw a teacher of mine 3 years after i finished school in my workplace, she asked me what i was doing with my life and i told her i work here, she turned to the students that were with her and said "this is why you should study hard" I couldn't believe she could be so rude! I replied, well i just bought my first home, not many of my class mates can say that!

If i had a dollar for every time i've heard someone bagging teens behaviour lately i'd be a rich woman, "their lazy", "their stupid", "they dont know what hard work is" that kind of thing.
I dont know about anyone elses experiences but my son is 15 he goes to school 5 days a week, year 10 now, from 8:10am til 2:20pm, he gets home at 3pm and has enough time to change into his work uniform and then we are off to Maccas for his shift.
His shift goes from 4pm til between 10:30 and 11pm 6 nights a week, he works hard and has a great work ethic, so much so that he was offered a traineeship with a view to a management position upon turning 18. So now he also studies for his retail cert 2 ( i have no idea how he finds the time or energy.
The funny thing is, that he is one of those rebellious kids when in school, mouthy, lazy and generally cant be bothered, so his teachers think he is a no hoper. This all started when a few teachers started picking on him as he has piercings and dyes his hair, he used to love school but now its a chore, could be worse tho at least he still goes.
Anyway to cut a short story long....whats your experience with the teens in your life or teens in general? i think they get a bad rap because of a few idiots.

I dont generalise any age group, I take each person, whatever their age, on their own merit.

I have a teenage niece that visits us a few times a year for a week or two at at time, she's fabulous and we have alot of fun together - she's at that stage of life where the world is her oyster and she's having so much fun, its all about the clothes, the boys and parties... as it should be smile At the same time she is responsible, works part time, does well at school and is a very caring and lovely girl.

Its unfair that all teens are labelled lazy, rude, selfish etc
When i was a teen i got a part time job, often spent friday nights and the whole weekend working.

Jobs like maccas, woolies etc are a great stepping stone into the work force - future employers know you've atleast had experience and are willing to work! What a cow of a teacher?? It really shites me that people assume EVERYONE is going to go to uni and end up a lawyer, doctor etc. Someone has to do those jobs that aren't quite as glamorous as others!

I saw a teacher of mine 3 years after i finished school in my workplace, she asked me what i was doing with my life and i told her i work here, she turned to the students that were with her and said "this is why you should study hard" I couldn't believe she could be so rude! I replied, well i just bought my first home, not many of my class mates can say that!

blink What a Cow!! I would have slapped her then turned to the kids and said "That is why you dont be rude to people" laugh

I actually don't know many teenagers laugh My cousin is probably the only one and she is way off the rails but by fault of her parents and stupid decisions, not anything else.

Often when I'm out shopping in the arvo many times teenage girls will stop and 'aww' at DS and whenever I have had a young lad run into me they have always said excuse me or apologized. Since becoming an 'adult' I have not had any bad experiences with teens. I have found them generally to be respectful even if a little difficult to understand wink

Double

I have a 19 yr old and a 16 yr old. Eldest one lives with his gf, works hard respects his elders and is polite and well mannered. My 16 yr old still at home, goes to school, does a Tafe course and has a job. Generally well behaved and respectful. Has womble moments every now and again, this week a womble week, but usually nice to be around. All his friends are great kids, very repectful, polite and well mannered. Unfortunately teens of today get tarred with the same brush which makes it hard for the good ones.

I have a 19 yr old and a 16 yr old. Eldest one lives with his gf, works hard respects his elders and is polite and well mannered. My 16 yr old still at home, goes to school, does a Tafe course and has a job. Generally well behaved and respectful. Has womble moments every now and again, this week a womble week, but usually nice to be around. All his friends are great kids, very repectful, polite and well mannered. Unfortunately teens of today get tarred with the same brush which makes it hard for the good ones.

I'm still thinking that most of them are good kids.
I'd be willing to bet that if this same question had been asked 20 years ago when i was 15 the responses would have been the same.
I kinda think every generation has it's problems, just think of that "awful" rock music when it came out when our parents were teens, and all generations of teens get stuck in the same basket due to a few idiots.
There's been some interesting responses and i've enjoyed reading what all of you have had to say.

I'm still thinking that most of them are good kids.
I'd be willing to bet that if this same question had been asked 20 years ago when i was 15 the responses would have been the same.
I kinda think every generation has it's problems, just think of that "awful" rock music when it came out when our parents were teens, and all generations of teens get stuck in the same basket due to a few idiots.
There's been some interesting responses and i've enjoyed reading what all of you have had to say.

I was just about to post something similar, I honestly dont think teens are any worse or better than when I was a teen( im 28) or when my parents were teens, we all still faced similar issues (the whole peer pressure thing).
There has always been the more mature teens and then the smart a** teens and the downright horrible teens.