Adolescence Quote by Laurence Steinberg
“Most adults would not dream of belittling, humiliating, or bullying (verbally or physically) another adult. But many of the same adults think nothing of treating their adolescent child like a nonperson. . . . Adolescents deserve the same civility their parents routinely extend to total strangers.”
About This Quote
Adults often treat children with disrespect that they would never direct at peers, violating the principle of universal civility.
In simple terms: Children deserve the same respect adults give strangers.
Key Takeaway
Respect should be consistent across ages.
Themes
respect
parenting
civility
power dynamics
adolescent rights
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
critical
Type
advice
observation
call to action
When to use this quote
- parent‑child interactions
- school disciplinary policies
- family counseling
- youth advocacy
Key Concepts
moral consistency
social norms
authority misuse
Practical Applications
- parenting workshops
- policy guidelines for child welfare
Questions to Reflect On
- How does treating children as less than human affect their development?
- What would change if society applied the same civility standards to children as to strangers?
![“I remember realizing, when I did Little Women [1994], that that was the only time girls that age were being written about. It was always boys - from David Copperfield to Lord of the Flies to Holden Caulfield. There were never young women going through adolescence or teen years; there were only…” quote by Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/666/winona-ryder-1469_adolescence_i-remember-realizing-when-i-did-little-w_41784.jpg)
