Introduction Today’s world is quite different from that of the past, especially with regards to the amount of freedom that children are allowed. In the past, one would be required to work hard in school, graduate, find a job then perhaps afford to buy oneself a car. This is not the case today. With today’s children, parents are all about making them happy as well as making up for a lost time, considering the fact that most parents are absentees due to their work schedules (Fleming, 54). Children as young as 16 years can now afford driving permits in some states within the United States. For instance, according to Phoenix laws in Arizona, children under the age of 18 years can obtain Graduated Driver License but need to have completed 20 hours of supervised, behind-the-wheel daytime driving practice (Copeland, 1). With the Class G Driver License, the teenager is not allowed to drive between midnight and 5 am unless accompanied by a legal guardian or parent who also has a valid driving license. Anyone found going against these laws is liable to conviction (Winters, 77). Personally, I do not think that 16-year-old children should be allowed to drive or be given driving permits; this is what my claim will argue. In this day and age, we have seen a lot of children driving cars without driving licenses. Such children are mostly taught by their peers and, therefore, do not necessarily pass through the legal requirements of obtaining driving permits (Fahlberg, 20). These children are also potentially at risk and also tend to put others at risk of accidents or even death as well. Children under the age of 18 years should not be allowed to get driving permits unless they are well trained in an authorized place. Discussion There are those who may argue that children under the age of 16 years should be allowed driving permits since today’s children tend to mature rather quickly and are therefore more responsible and capable of handling themselves (Wanberge, 64). One thing that has not changed in the course of the years is the excitement that a driver’s license tends to bring to a teenager. Acquiring a driver’s license has been observed to be some sort of a rite of passage for the majority of teenagers, even though the minimum age for an unlimited license is slowly creeping up in a few states (Fleming, 55). Those who are in support of teenagers obtaining driving permits say that to such children, getting a driver’s license is more than just freedom and independence. It usually means that the 16-year-old is one step closer to affording his/her own car (Copeland, 1). It also means that they do not have to ask for their parent’s permission in order to be driven to their friend’s house or go to the mall. Grown-ups were once teenagers, and the fact is, teenagers do not like it when they are treated as young children. Having a driving permit allows the 16-year-old to feel adult-like and responsible (Winters, 79). Those arguing for teenagers to be allowed driving permits also suggest that having a car gives the 16-year-old a sense of pride and self-esteem. Despite the fact that some may have different opinions regarding their driving skills and still wince at the notion of handing them the keys, they will still feel great about themselves (Fahlb