So while reading an acquittance's blog, I found that she had made her son sign a phone contract. Stating his curfew, his financial obligations and that his parents could take his phone and go through it any time they wanted. I am perfectly okay with agreements between parents and their children. I don't know HOW it went down. But I feel as if a contract should be mutual. I've had a phone since 5th grade. I'm going into 11th next year. I've never had to have a contract with my parents about it. Nor have I ever had it taken. They've never gone through it, either.
Regardless of trust, kids do things that parents wouldn't. It's that simple. As a kid, if our parents had the same technology we do, they'd understand.
Now, I'm going to take a third person stance, because I'm not sure who reads my blog. But I don't personally know anyone who is a heavy "sexter", but I know that many kids/teens do it. I also know plenty of adults do too! But parents, riddle me this. Wouldn't you rather have your child exploring sex in a text message than in a bed belonging to a member of the opposite sex? You can't get STDs or babies from texting. Chances are, if you're kid is texting about it, they're not doing it. If your kid had the guts to actually do the things they're "sexting" about, they'd be out doing it, not just talking about it.
And putting the phone up at night. *sigh* I feel as if most parents do this because they know it'll give them a chance to snipe it and go through it. This is so irritating. What's the purpose? Our parents parents couldn't just go through their kid's conversations. Granted, people actually talked to each other back then. But honestly, is that the best thing you've got to do? Instead of going through their phone, go talk to them! Be involved!
My mom and I fight sometimes, obviously. But she doesn't need to go through my phone, laptop, etc. She knows everything! She knows about my friends and my male interests and the music I like and the pictures I post on facebook. She's also aware that I'm almost 16. Yes, I say damn, shit, hell, and the occasional fuck. But guess what, so do adults!
I know many kids who've been extremely restricted their whole life. And they get out on their own, and they fall apart. They're let off the reins and don't know what to do. So they just go, with no direction. One of my close friends has very ~VERY~ controlling parents. And unknown to them, she rebels every chance she get. Just because it's the only freedom she gets.
I guess some people will never understand. If you leave your kids to figure some things out, and support them along they way, they'll turn out alright. I mean look at me, I hold down 4 jobs (stable hand, rehabbing a horse, exercising two more. Oh, and I also do office work for my parents AS WELL AS train with my horse every day) and I'm in training to become an Olympic athlete. I also have good grades, am bilingual, am in honors classes (some senior, while I should only be a junior) and I'm beginning to pick out high goals for college.
And guess what? I never signed a phone contract.
P.s. If you've restricted your kid so much that they need a phone contract, they probably won't be talking to any girls or bad influences anyway. So that should ease your mind about him doing anything dirty or inappropriate on his phone.
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