Do you sometimes clash with your parents over hot-button issues like how much TV you can watch or what clothes you can wear? Do you think you don't have enough freedom to make your own decisions? Take this quiz to find out how much freedom you deserve. Tip: Once you've completed the quiz, have your parents take it to determine how much freedom they think you deserve. Compare your answers and discuss. THE ARGUMENT: My parent thinks that homework is very important to my success at school. I want the freedom to do homework as I please. 1. I absolutely hate homework! I don't do it unless my mom or dad tells me when to start my homework, makes me show him or her the assignments, and sits with me while I do them. 2. My parent often nags me, and then I procrastinate, but usually I get it done at the last minute. 3. I do what needs to be done for homework, without any prodding. 4. This is not an important issue in my family; I don't argue with my parent about it. THE ARGUMENT: My parents want my clothing and hair to be "appropriate." I want the freedom to determine my "own style" for clothes and hair. 1. I regularly choose clothing or fix my hair in ways that my parents find inappropriate. They object and we argue about this a lot. 2. Sometimes I choose clothes that my mom and dad don't want me to wear, and they remind me why they think it's not appropriate. 3. I have had many discussions about my "style" with my parents, and I really understand the standards and budget for what is appropriate. 4. This is not an important issue in my family; I don't argue with my parents about it. THE ARGUMENT: My parent wants my room to be orderly. I want freedom to set up my room as I please. 1. It doesn't bother me that my room is a legendary mess, so I never clean it. 2. I clean my room only after my mom or dad nags me and helps me organize my room. 3. I always keep my room clean without waiting for my parent to remind me. 4. This is not an important issue in my family; I don't argue with my parent about it. THE ARGUMENT: My parents worry about the effect that TV has on my life. I want the freedom to choose when to watch television and what to watch. 1. My parents think I watch too much TV. They have caught me watching stuff on TV that I know they don't like. 2. My parents set a limit on the amount of time I can watch TV, and they make rules about the types of programs I am allowed to watch. 3. I choose to watch TV programs that I know would meet my parents' expectations. I balance TV-watching with other free-time activities, like reading and bicycling. 4. This is not an important issue in my family; I don't argue with my parents about it.
on 31 January, 2014