At what age should children be allowed to make their own decisions?
By Anish Asokan
@RevivedWarrior (2922)
India
August 13, 2024 4:00am CST
Parents often debate when children should be given autonomy and when they should be on their own . They often find it difficult to balance balance and autonomy when it comes to children making decisions. It is also cultural as well as depend on the family as well.
Many state that around 12 -18 , mst children should be mature enough to make their decisions. They would be capable of understanding whats right and wrong ,especially the consequences. There are few who argue that allowing children to make decisions only after 18, may hinder their growth.
There are other reports which state around age 6-8 , children should be allowed to make their own decisions atleast in few areas. This would help them in confidence building as well as becoming more responsible.
Again , decision making may vary from children to children and parents need to foster them till that time. So whats your take on the age at which children should be allowed to make their own decisions?
3 people like this
2 responses
@just4him (318343)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Aug
If every child were identical, you could say by a certain age, they would become mature enough to make their own decisions. However, nobody is identical to the next person. Everyone learns at a different rate. You know when your children are ready to dress themselves. You also know when you can depend on them to make decisions at different points in their lives. You trained them. The only person who can make the decision to move onto the next phase in their development is the person. Not you and not some government person with a clipboard in their hands that says, oh, you're such-and-such an age. You should do this now. Life doesn't work that way. You need to allow the individual to grow and mature at their own rate, not yours.
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (2922)
• India
14 Aug
Very true - every person every child is unique and should be carefully watched till we are sure they can make their own decisions. Thanks for sharing!
@RevivedWarrior (2922)
• India
14 Aug
Totally agree, this depends on children and could differ case to case. Thanks for sharing your experience!
