ANSWERS: 31
  • i agree i hated being associated with the word child when i was a teen
  • partly but its a fact that teenagers dont have the part of the brain that connects action with consequence fully developed yet so many arent entirely abile to make good decisions it changes alot from person to person though alot of kids who have experienced alot in life r had a real tough childhood are often 'little adults' because theyve had more personal experience or have seen other people go through tough things
  • They aren't children, and many of them are taller and bigger than me....I just call them teens, or wannabe adults. But then again, many adults can act like teens or pout like children. They are what they are, whatever they are.
  • they are not children but they're not adults either. So i agree with the first half but disagree with the second.
  • teens mean in betweens, it's a pity that they are about to be subject to the scrutiny of the younger and the older.... and that's some pity...
  • No, I think it should read - Teens are not children, but rather they are "pre-adults". That, of course, is a generalization because some teenagers are very mature and some take decades to mature.
  • Depends on the maturity level of the individual. In my experience, few teens behave as "smaller adults"...
  • I don't think I agree with that. Teenagers are in a special transitory stage between childhood and adulthood. This means that not only are WE often confused about what they do, say and want, but so are THEY! Parents should make a herculean effort to remember what they went through as teenagers and try to be as sympathetic as they can, but must remember that they are the parent responsible for leading their teenager(s) through this emotional and psychological minefield and act accordingly.
  • They really aren't either. But I would say that physically they are closer to adults but mentally and experience wise they are closer to children.
  • it is impossible to put an exact age or description of ones maturity based on years they have lived. i think its not fair that younger "people" are not given the respect they deserve... who knows when one's right of passage is and one's conscience is fully developed... maybe nobody is an adult yet?
  • Well that's exactly what makes "teenhood" so incredibly difficult, now,isn't it? It goes both ways: the teen wants/needs to become more independent but at the same time still wants/needs guidance and reassurances (sometimes hugs) from mom and dad. The adults expect more mature behavior and childlike behavior at the same time. Parents have to learn to let go and be supportive at the same time. -- If this is more about how to treat them, treat others as you would like to be treated. - As to size: I'm 5'8" and my 15 year old is 6'
  • Some may be physically, but not mentally. Their brain has not fully developed into adulthood.
  • Physically: yes Legally: no
  • No, teens are teens. Why try to seperate them into one higher or lower category when they are only their own?
  • Disagree. Teens are immature. I would know I am a high school teacher.
  • "Adult" connotes a certain degree of maturity. It is true not all adults are mature. I think some teenagers might fit that description..although "smaller" means stature or height or bone structure to me and I've seen some teenagers who are much bigger than their parents. I'd say some teenagers are adult in their manner and thinking and some are not! :)
  • im a teen. i dont know what i am :s
  • Nope. there is a part of the brain that is still developing at that age and really impairs their critical thinking. That is why teens can be fearless and do a lot of stupid things. Nope, they are still big kids to me, not adults at all. Not even small adults.
  • wow i dont know thats a tough one. some are young adults and some are still children, honestly i recon it depends on the person. i know relatively veryyy mature young "adults"
  • They are neither children NOR adults. They have characteristics of both. They are adults in training. They still need strict boundaries and limits, but ought to be given more of the responsibilities of adulthood, such as chores, as well as being included in on some decision making.
  • I agree. I think the reason teens act immature is because they are often treated as children. If a parent tells them to do something, they, in order to prove that they can decide for themselve, don't do it. We may see this as irresponsible and immature, but they see it as making their own decisions.
  • I think they're (we're) just in-between. Simple as that.
  • I have some towering kids that disprove the "smaller" part of that statement. I do see teens as less "seasoned" adults rather than children.
  • I kind of disagree ... They say that the BRAIN is not fully developed until you are about 25 Years old ... That kind of leaves teens out of being called "Smaller Adults" ... Maybe just call them as they are ... TEENAGERS . +5
  • I think teens are just older brats, no street smarts.
  • They are neither children nor adults. They are in a wonderful class all their own: adolescence. It is one of many developmental stages through which we must pass with its own tasks and challenges.
  • Nope. Teens have a seperate category of their own.
  • I would say they are in transitional period from child to adult. But under the law they are still kids and until they no longer depend on more 50% of their parents or guardians incomes to survive then I believe they are adults.
  • I disagree, teens are on their path to become adults. They may want to be treated like adults but they do not have the maturity level, the sense of responsibility and the ability to be fully independent and resourceful or to make certain decisions on their own. They are not as innocent as children and as oblivious to the responsibilities they must face in life as they grow older but they are slowly getting closer to differentiate themselves fully from children. It is not an easy phase in life for anyone as they seek their independence but are not ready to take care of themselves on all levels.
  • that sounds about right to me
  • Teenagers are still children and that is just a fact of life. Granted, they should be treated differently from young children but by the same token, they are not small adults. They are young people. It is only when you reach maturity yourself that you realise just how young and immature teens are and how little they know about life and the world around them. Treat teenagers as adults and you have the makings of a recipe for disaster. In the eyes of the law (UK) you are a child until the age of 18 and this is when the body has finished growing, However, full maturity is not reached until around 22-23 years old. The final part of development takes place in the brain and this does not begin until physical growth has finished.

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