Why teenagers aren't what they used to be (UK)

I found this article really interesting.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220124-why-teens-arent-what-they-used-to-be

When my mum was 14 she had to go out to work full time.

When I was 14 I had a Sunday job as a waitress.

When my sister was 16 she was married with a baby.

I only realised recently that she couldn't have done that now - even with parental consent - she would have to have been 18.

'In tougher times in history, teens were forced to take a "fast life strategy", growing up faster, reproducing earlier and focusing on basic needs. Now life in the West is generally more forgiving, and families are wealthier – at least on average – so it's possible for teens to take a "slow life strategy", delaying the transition to more adult behaviours.'....

....'There's little doubt that technology and the internet has played a major role, meaning more interaction with peers happens online and in the home, where sex, experimentation and trouble are perhaps less likely.'

I've been chatting to an online friend who is much younger than me and it's put a lot of these ideas into context.

When I was 16 I considered myself to be an adult - I drank alcohol and smoked by that age.

The school leaving age was 16.

Now you can't  leave at 16 and go to work:

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/01/11/school-leaving-age-can-you-leave-school-at-16-and-what-are-your-options/

So, those of us of 'a certain age' need to bear all this in mind whilst in discussions with teenagers, and even, according to this article, people in their early 20s.