Question:
I believe that my 11 year old son should be allowed to shut his bedroom door for the ability to have private space. My wife does not share my thoughts. Who is right? Do children need their own private space?Answer:
ParentingTeensOnline expert Dr. Michael Schwartzman is a family therapist in New York City and the co-author of "The Anxious Parent". He answers:
Without knowing what your wife's concerns are about your son having privacy I can only answer this very generally. It is very clear to me that as a child gets older, he will want to do more and more on his own. This will also include wanting privacy. I believe it should be encouraged. There are things that kids want to do, very healthy things, that they want to do in private. If a parent is suspicious and concerned that their child is abusing the privilege and getting into things they shouldn't, then they have the right to ask their child to explain himself. But if the explanation is acceptable, it is preferable that the child have his privacy.