Can parents legally keep their 16-year-old from hanging out with specific people?

Answer 1

YesOf course you do. You are ultimately responsible for the actions of your minor children. But the difficult problem is not determining whether you have the right but determining how to stop him (or her) from hanging with certain people, especially if the child lacks respect for you and openly defies you constantly. Correcting that problem should have been addressed years ago. Now, you have to deal with a recalcitrant teenager, whose will and defiance may be greater than your will and determination to fight them.

If your 16 year old lives with you then they are still under your rules.

If your 16 year old does not live with you then you have limited control over them.

AnswerThe above poster said it in a nut shell. My advice "If Mohammad won't go to the mountain, then bring the mountain to Mohammad" meaning .... if this is your son then get him into cadets or some armed forces. There are all sorts of teen groups that whip kids into shape, but be cautious and do your homework on these groups to be sure your child, although disciplined well is not mistreated in anyway. Somewhere in the States they have used hard core convicts (guarded of course) who want to pay society back and work with teens. These are guys with tattoos, scars, been through the meat grinder and survived and know the ropes. They never lay a hand on the teens but the authority figure they represent is fearful and they scare the pants off the kids. Guards are there 100% of the time and there has never been any problem with a convict touching any child, but the kids sure come out of that place with a new view on the world. If you have a daughter the same can apply. Otherwise there is no way you can watch your teen 24/7. Some teens act like they know it all (we all did to a degree) and will act cool, can strike fear into their parents (if totally out of control) and the trick is (works every time) take the teen away from their peers and comfort zone and put them into a position of a group of strangers such as these counseling groups for teens "Teens in Trouble" etc., and they aren't so chipper any longer. At this point they need round the clock care and counseling for the family is out of the question now and you can bet your teen will not turn up for the counseling appointments or if you drag them then it's this simple "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink!" Your teen will sit there slumped in a chair and rolling their eyes or looking at you as his/her parents through slit eyes and reject adult authority. Check out your sources and take your son/daughter away from the group they are hanging around with and your teen needs to be sent to a place of discipline. Family can keep in contact with the counselor, but it's best if the parents stay out of the disciplinary action of that teen (who will receive psychological counseling.) The environment as they know it now must be broken down and all sources of help taken from them (meaning peers encouraging their behavior by thinking your son/daughter is being treated unfairly or you as parents giving into your teen just to shut them up and bring peace to your home.)