Summary: <a href="http://on-boys.blubrry.net/age-16-driving-cars/2495542783_b2930bd503_o/" rel="attachment wp-att-1067"></a>Photo by Russ Allison Loar via Flickr<br> <br> Sweet 16.<br> <br> Here in the United States, age 16 has long been an eagerly anticipated milestone, largely because teens are eligible to get a driver's license at age 16. In the minds of many teens, age 16 = driver's license = increased independence. In the minds of many parents, age 16 = increased insurance costs and anxiety regarding their child's safety.<br> <br> In fact, fewer teens are getting drivers' licenses at age 16. According to an <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/teen-driving-numbers/">article</a> published on Wired.com, just 71% of high school seniors have a driver's license; that's the lowest percentage in decades. Societal changes account for the decline: the prevalence of ride-sharing services such as Lyft & Uber means that many teens don't need to drive to get from one place to another, and social media now allows teens to socialize without leaving home. Economic challenges are a factor as well: 36% of non-driving teens cite "overall cost" as a contributing issue.<br> <br> Whether your teen gets a driver's license or not age 16 is a big deal. It's a step toward independence, and time to talk about responsible decision making.<br> In this episode, Janet & Jen discuss:<br> <br> * Learning to drive as a rite of passage<br> * The importance of following your son's lead (Some are ready to drive at age 16; some have no desire)<br> * How to tell if your son is ready to drive<br> * How to set limits and guidelines that fit your son<br> * Why parents may not be the best driving instructors for their children<br> * How to talk to kids about the risks & responsibilities of driving (Hint: sharing scary stats does not work.)<br> * How graduated driver's licenses help teens build experience<br> * The role of role-modeling (Don't want your teen to text & drive? Don't text and drive!)<br> * The cost of driving -- how parents & kids can share the expense<br> * Things to consider when purchasing/helping your son purchase a car<br> <br> Links we mentioned (or should have) in Episode 154:<br> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/03/01/when-life-gives-you-lemon/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.91485ce784c3">How to Intervene When Life Gives Your Grown Son a Lemon</a> -- article mentioned by Jen at about 20:00<br> <br> <a href="https://yourteenmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ParentTeen-Driving-Agreement1.pdf">Parent-Teen Driving Contract</a> -- template created by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control<br> <br> <a href="http://www.streetsurvival.org/">Street Survival driving school</a> -- driving school mentioned by Janet at 10:02<br> <br> <a href="https://buildingboys.net/age-16-learning-to-let-go/">Age 16 & Learning to Let Go</a> - blog post about what happened after Jen's son got his license
