Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?

[LancesMom]

Who do you think should enforce them? The parents or the Police?

Is there an age you think a teen should have a curfew and what time do you think they should be home?

[JamieLeigh02]

I never got into trouble with that law as a teen other than getting picked up once for being out past curfew. Hahaha. I think parents are the ones who should enforce a curfew. My son getting a curfew is something I haven't thought about yet. He isn't even 3 years old. I know I stopped having a curfew at 16 and still never got into trouble. I usually went home whenever my friend with the latest curfew did, so I guess I was usually home by midnight or so. I just had to check in with my dad every once in a while and let him know what I was doing, where I was and when I thought I might be home.

[EireLass]

Yes, I think they should have curfews. Every town I've lived in, the police enforce curfews. But yes, I think parents should enforce it for their own kids.  

[Mergath]

I don't think curfews do much, really.  The police couldn't do much where I lived.  As long as you said, "I'm on my way home," they had to let you go.  And as far as parental enforcement, I was a pro at coming up with long, complex excuses for why I had to stay out until three.

[Se7enTh1rt3en]

Yes, I think teens should have a curfew.  Growing up, I wasn't allowed out past 11 on school nights, 12 on weekends and during the summer (unless it was a special event and I was allowed).  I think it should primarily fall on the parents to enforce, but I don't think it should stop with the parents - I think the police should also get involved, should a teen be out past a reasonable hour.

[norwegianwood]

Curfews are helpful, but more so is knowing where your kids are and who they are with and what they will be doing etc...PARENTS should set them AND ENFORCE Them...we have police officers NOT to be babysitters or fill in parents, but to go after REAL threats to people and their property or to respond to accidents etc...

P 

[tericared]

I just found out that in our area there is no curfew....I have had many times been a victim of vandalism and 3 days ago was talking with a Deputy about the kids down the street being out after midnight up until 2 AM and he said there was nothing they could do but take them home and call CPS for a minor being unsupervised.... When I was growing up there was a curfew and your little hiney went for a ride down town and your parents picked you up there...

[survivorinohio]

Quoting tericared:

I just found out that in our area there is no curfew....I have had many times been a victim of vandalism and 3 days ago was talking with a Deputy about the kids down the street being out after midnight up until 2 AM and he said there was nothing they could do but take them home and call CPS for a minor being unsupervised.... When I was growing up there was a curfew and your little hiney went for a ride down town and your parents picked you up there...

this!

[cowgirlsr2]

I believe in curfews enforced by the parents and times set according to age and responsibilty factors.My daughters 13 I want her home by 8 during the week and 9 weekends. This will grow with age, maturity,& responsilbility.She messes up then she losses that right and has to start over.

[AMBG825]

Quoting Mergath:

I don't think curfews do much, really.  The police couldn't do much where I lived.  As long as you said, "I'm on my way home," they had to let you go.  And as far as parental enforcement, I was a pro at coming up with long, complex excuses for why I had to stay out until three.

Here the police can do something. Even if the kid is "on his way home." Unless there was a school event, church event or they can show proof of a job, then they get taken to the police station and the parents have to come get them.

[hsteele]

Yes I do think that teens should have curfews. As for who should enforce them, the parents always, and the cops...that depends on the area I think. In areas where juvenile crime is high, then I think the cops should be involved. Obviously the parents are unwilling or unable to enforce those curfews. I have no idea if curfew laws actually work, but I do not see the harm in trying to enforce them. I never had a set curfew as a kid, I was just told before I went out, when to come home. It always depended on the function, usually before 10. I was a goody goody as they called it growing up, so there was never much need for one. Who knew it would be the good child in my family who would turn into the heathen. lol