Teens need access to third spaces for it is very important for them to grow up in a mature and responsible way. These are places away from home and school where teens can be independent. Though, adults don’t seem to understand how important they are as teens are getting kicked out of their third spaces more and more often. Some of these adults have good reasons to kick teens out as they can be destructive or rude. Though, this does not lessen the fact that teens still need access to third spaces.

Adults can have good reasons to take away these third spaces from teens. Sometimes, teens can be dangerous to the places and other people there. Some teens have robbed and or damaged properties causing many adults to think all teens are like this. “Our belief is that these juveniles…were here to be disorderly,” Philadelphia Police Inspector Ray Evers said during a news conference. Although he makes a good point, it is still not fair for adults to assume all teens act like the small, negative minority. Most teens probably aren’t as destructive as adults think they are, it is just the few that are make themselves noticeable. “Multiple studies have found that once a strong, positive relationship is established between the student and school through third places, positive changes in regard to self-perception, confidence, and aspirations follow,” said Jordan Beal, an Assistant Director of a Before and After-School Program in Fairfax County Public Schools. There are studies that third spaces can help teens grow in many positive ways.

It is very important for teens to have places they can go away from home and school, it is a large factor in making them responsible and mature. Teens need places where they can have fun with their friends and learn to be trusted. “You have to get these kids and [then] have caring adults that are gonna speak life into [them] and encourage these young people so that they don’t turn to the gang in their neighborhood, or turn to X, Y, and Z,” said Nikia Owens, president of the nonprofit Campaign for Working Families. Owens backs up this statement because kids need to have somewhere to go to learn and grow outside of home and school.

Third spaces are extremely important to teens and adults don’t seem to understand much. These places allow teens to grow and learn in positive ways, grow confidence, and help with academics. Teens are simply not given enough third spaces to allow for this growth in the modern day if adults keep shutting them down. Adults need to understand how important third spaces are for teens and future generations.

It is very important for teens to have places they can go away from home and school. This is a large factor in making them responsible and mature. Teens need places where they can have fun with their friends and learn to be trusted. “You have to get these kids and [then] have caring adults that are gonna speak life into [them] and encourage these young people so that they don’t turn to the gang in their neighborhood, or turn to X, Y, and Z,” said Nikia Owens, president of the nonprofit Campaign for Working Families. Owens backs up this statement because kids need to have somewhere to go to learn and grow outside of home and school.

Third spaces are extremely important to teens and adults don’t seem to understand much. These places allow teens to grow and learn in positive ways, grow confidence, and help with academics. Teens are simply not given enough third spaces to allow for this growth in the modern day if adults keep shutting them down. Adults need to understand how important third spaces are for teens and future generations.