Cars
Why Teenagers Need Cars
Imagine cruising down the highway in a brand-new red Mustang. This must be every teenager's dream, though in reality, a compact sedan with a couple of dings in the door is probably more typical for those lucky enough to have a vehicle. Life is hard for teens who lack their own set of wheels. Today a car is a necessity, not a luxury, for teenagers, in my opinion.
To begin, the daily schedule of the average student is a whirlwind of activity. What parent has time to deliver each daughter and son to every sports game or practice, music rehearsal, babysitting job, or dentist appointment? Sometimes these activities take place in different parts of town and involve quite a bit of travel. The logistics are a nightmare. However, with a set of car keys, the teen can travel to each event independently. He or she can handle last-minute schedule changes without throwing off parents' pick-up and drop-off plans. Parents could get some time to relax.
Also, having a car helps teenagers learn responsibility. Instead of counting on Mom or Dad to chauffeur them, these young people will make and carry out their own transportation plans. Early on, they will gain practice in becoming a courteous and skilled driver. Buying gasoline and paying for repairs provide valuable lessons in sticking to a budget and caring for personal property. These steps to adulthood can be achieved by owning and caring for a car.
Of course, some people might say that teenagers should not do lots of driving by themselves, in their own cars. One reason is that high school students lack experience and judgment on the road. Some, if not all, find it tempting to drive too fast or show off for friends. This behavior would be reduced if teens drove with adult supervision and only occasionally borrowed a family car. In this view, young people should learn to drive gradually and get a car only after lots of practice and supervision.
Also, having a car may be considered too much
Imagine cruising down the highway in a brand-new red Mustang. This must be every teenager's dream, though in reality, a compact sedan with a couple of dings in the door is probably more typical for those lucky enough to have a vehicle. Life is hard for teens who lack their own set of wheels. Today a car is a necessity, not a luxury, for teenagers, in my opinion.
To begin, the daily schedule of the average student is a whirlwind of activity. What parent has time to deliver each daughter and son to every sports game or practice, music rehearsal, babysitting job, or dentist appointment? Sometimes these activities take place in different parts of town and involve quite a bit of travel. The logistics are a nightmare. However, with a set of car keys, the teen can travel to each event independently. He or she can handle last-minute schedule changes without throwing off parents' pick-up and drop-off plans. Parents could get some time to relax.
Also, having a car helps teenagers learn responsibility. Instead of counting on Mom or Dad to chauffeur them, these young people will make and carry out their own transportation plans. Early on, they will gain practice in becoming a courteous and skilled driver. Buying gasoline and paying for repairs provide valuable lessons in sticking to a budget and caring for personal property. These steps to adulthood can be achieved by owning and caring for a car.
Of course, some people might say that teenagers should not do lots of driving by themselves, in their own cars. One reason is that high school students lack experience and judgment on the road. Some, if not all, find it tempting to drive too fast or show off for friends. This behavior would be reduced if teens drove with adult supervision and only occasionally borrowed a family car. In this view, young people should learn to drive gradually and get a car only after lots of practice and supervision.
Also, having a car may be considered too much