Independence

1 in 5 parents say they have never allowed their teen to be away from them during a vacation or trip. 2 in 3 parents are very confident their teen would follow their rules if allowed to spend time without parents while on vacation. 1 in 3 parents insist their teen interact with family members while on vacation. 

3 in 4 parents say they make it a point to have their child do things themselves. Worry is the top reason parents give for their child not doing things independently. 1 in 4 parents have criticized another parent for not adequately supervising their child.

Parents recognize the benefit of allowing teens to make mistakes, but believe parents should prevent mistakes that are too serious. 1 in 4 parents point to themselves as the main barrier to teen independence, by not taking the time or effort to give their teen more responsibility. Parents rate their teens as being the least able to handle basic healthcare tasks independently, including figuring out the correct dose of medication and making a doctor's appointment.

Two-thirds of parents agree that parents need to give tweens some freedom to make mistakes. 9 in 10 parents feel social media makes it easier for tweens to get in trouble. Mothers are more likely than fathers to monitor tween by reading their social media or tracking their location via cell phone.

Only about 15% of parents report their teen would discuss health problems independently at a routine check-up. Two-thirds of parents complete health history forms without involving their teen. Parents’ top reason that teens are not involved in discussing health problems is they are not comfortable in that role.

Two-thirds of parents believe teens should shift to adult-focused care by age 18; only one-third do so. Less than one-half of parents of 18- to 19-year-olds believe their teens know how to make a doctor’s appointment. Parents are least confident about their teens’ self-management related to knowing what their health insurance covers.

Nearly two-thirds of parents of "tweens" (age 11-13) have left them home alone for 1-2 hours. 1 out of 5 parents have left tweens home alone for an entire day. Over one-quarter of parents have not talked "a lot" with their tweens about neighborhood, Internet or home safety.