My OSD was asking me this recently. She said the teachers at her school call them "young adults" but also sometimes say, "you kids." She said they do that at all grade levels in this school (she's a senior in HS and has been going to this school since the beginning of her freshman year). She was saying she, along with her friends, was confused by where they stand, as the teachers are overheard telling other kids, "you need to show respect for adults" but then say, "you are old enough to know not to act like this."

So that left me somewhat confused as well. I just said they're not fully grown adults but they're not toddlers either. They're right in the middle. So while they're not expected to do adult things like pay the bills, buy a house, raise the kids, etc., they are generally expected to know not to be rude to people, to talk to people about your feelings and be nice to everyone, even if you don't care for them.

Where do you think teen SKs fit in- as kids or as adults? Where do you think they should fit in maturity-wise- as kids or adults? It seems like some people expect these teens to act normal and right when really, they have so many issues and have been so damaged, and put adult shoes on. Then they are expected to put kid shoes on when dealing with adults, and recognize their place as kids. Does anyone here feel the same? Where do you all feel teen SKs fit in- as kids or adults? Do you expect them to have adult levels of maturity, or maturity levels of kids?

For some kids, like ones whose parents have always held them to standards, or at least have for many years, the second paragraph is fairly easy. Then there are some who weren't held to standards for a long time. Are those kids just supposed to act 100% normal and ok when they now are being held to standards? Are they supposed to adapt just like any other kid? Are they supposed to be the bigger person after being so screwed up by their parents, and treat them respectfully, when on some level, they KNOW they've been screwed?

My SDs adapted fairly well because my DH started holding them to standards at fairly young ages. He didn't start as early as I think he should have, but whatever.