Teenagers Allowed Parents Spend Make Overbearing Father Time

Most American teenagers have "significant" (a lot of) "freedom" (the ability to do what one wants) to choose how they spend their time, and with whom. Although the "level" (amount) of freedom "varies" (is different) among families, most teenagers are allowed to spend time with their "peers" (people of the same age), separate from their family being present.

A "typical" (common; normal) teenager is allowed to go to parties with "members of the opposite sex" (boys if one is a girl, or girls if one is a boy), although the parents usually try to make sure that there will be "parental supervision" (parents who will observe the party and make sure everyone follows the rules). The parents also usually have a curfew and expect their teenager to be home before then.

Typical teenagers are also allowed to "date" (go out to develop a romantic relationship), although some families "insist" (say that something must happen) that the teenagers only go out on "double dates" (meetings with two romantic couples spending time together) or "group dates" (meetings with many people who are interested in other people romantically).

Many "pre-teens" (ages 10-12) are allowed to "have sleepovers," or spend the night at a friend's house, although these are almost always "single-sex" (with only girls or only boys) parties. The parents usually want to make sure that they have met the other child's parents first, and some want to see the home before they agree to let their child go to a sleepover. Sleepovers are less common among older teenagers, although they do happen occasionally.