Keep Schaumburg Teen Center strictly for teens

Regarding "How old is too old at the Schaumburg Teen Center? 20-year-old seeks leeway" written by Eric Peterson.

The sensitivity of this topic cannot be understated, however the Teen Center should not allow people above the age of 19 to enter. The reason to allow older people to come in and interact with teenagers can be seen as a good way to integrate those into adult society. However, issues can quickly arise if this becomes more commonplace.

When older folk come in and intermix with teenagers, not surprisingly, teenagers no longer want to be there because how can a safe space for teenagers be recognized and marketed as such if adults are allowed in. If adults start coming in to the teen center, can we call it a Teen Center?

Yes, it can be helpful for the development of people with special needs, but why hasn't there already been separate systems that specifically place emphasis on helping them? After all, since when has it been the job for the Teen Center to help them?

Teenagers need safe places where they can hang out with other teenagers and make crucial connections, that's the purpose of the Teen Center. However, what happens when a safe space exclusively for teenagers can no longer be considered exclusive, when does it just become a space and lose all of its meaning?

Eduardo Carrillo

Des Plaines