Andrew - yes I 'order' my children around & I get backchat. I gave the same to my dad - and I am enternally ashamed of how I behaved. I thought I was hard done by - but when Dad was 18 he was a Royal Marine Commando in France with an SMG and an old book of Kipling's poems - a better man than me.

Mark, Berkhamsted,

Lou from Leicester, I don't think you quite get the point, it is about respect and thinking of other people now & again - nobody likes being woken - just as they have got to sleep - by crowd of hysterical drunken teenagers. It isn't really too tough to spare others a thought.

sarah, france, france

What a load of stereotypical tosh. Not only is not speaking to them going to make it worse, it also shows them you've got a weak spot. Teens are NOT toddlers with hormones and attitudes, they are growing individuals trying to find where they belong in the world.

Emma Lee, Bolton, Lancs

If you don't like the rules at home, leave and do everything by yourself. It's that simple.

I now live in a different country to my parents, that's how strict they were. Teenagers today have got it easy.

Tina, Dusseldorf, Germany

Louise. Feel free to have your freedom & make mistakes. I assume you are willing to move out of your parents home & take on a full time job to pay for this? Could it be that *gasp* your parents actually care & want to try and protect you? Biting the hand that feeds you is a very unattractive trait

Becky , Leeds,

This is a sterotypical view rant about teenagers. I think it is sad that Tanya thinks it is arrogant for us to walk down the street after dark laughing!! Laughing is a favourite persuit of mine and is not intimidating! And there could be a million reasons why teenage shopkeepers can look misreable.

Lou, Leics,

Don't see all teenagers as anti-social, celebrity-fuelled yobs. Just as I don’t see my parents’ generation as "psychedelic druggies who had mass orgies" despite what my granddad says! Adolescence is not a new phenomenon, simply a careful stage of asserting independence.Polemical judgement don't help

Suzy, Birmingham,

I love it - its great to see all these adults ordering people who are younger than themselves around. I suspect that they did almost exactly the same when they were 'teenagers'. ANd yeh, a sport or something disciplined where he can focus his energy would be an excellent idea.

Gotta love it.

Andrew, STA,

Louise, you are not 2 years old so try not to behave as though you were. Temper tantrums are a sign of immaturity. I'm not surprised your parents patronise you. Behave like a selfish and immature brat and you will be treated like one.

Chantel , Wales,

Follow this advice and do what you can to fix it now. Don't hope once he's technically an adult he'll change - I know a 22 year old who treats his parents like this and shows no signs of changing.

M, Lancashire,

Certainly Louise is correct and teenagers would benefit from a bit less parental "control" such as controlling whether there's food in the fridge, clean laundry in the dresser etc. Some "making their own mistakes" might just mean finding alternate residence until they choose to live with house rules

Mel, New York, USA

Lock him out and hope he takes the hint.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan

lay a few ground rules, expect manners and repect- tell him if he doesnt he can find alternative accomodation- he is old enough.

hannah, yorkshire,

To Louise because you are children! Parents have every right to control their children as they see fit. Hopefully teaching their children to be decent, hardworking and realistic about the world.

Barry, bristol, UK

Try and get him involved in a sport, which gives him a good discipline and makes him to tired to give you any grief.. He needs a good male role model in a sports coach or equivalent male, who will teach him respect and will make sure your son knows who is the boss.. in time he will respect you..

Valerie, Wokingham, Berkshire

Dr. Byron makes this an issue of respect for elders, but wouldn't the child be better served (!) by being firmly informed it's hurtful to be told to 'shut up' or called 'stupid' and that he's old enough to know better than to be rude like that to anybody, young or old, his mom included?

Janice Huth Byer, Annandale, Virginia, USA

I've only shouted at my mum once. She stopped cleaning, cooking etc... lasted 3 days. I was 12. It worked, and it is a lesson of appreciation I've never forgotten. Parents are not obliged to bow to their child's every want, they should make this clear and form mutual respect.

Gary, Manchester, UK

Tanya Byron hits the nail on the head - except the bit about celebrating the fact that kids have a 'greater voice and presence today' because that is a big part of the problem, they have TOO MUCH voice and presence! - the pendulum HAS swung too far and the little brats are taking every advantage.

FJ, Sandown,

If we lash out it is because we resent having our lives controlled by parents

Louise, do you intend to lash out at your future employer when he or she tells you what to do? because you'll learn from that mistake very quickly.

Sarah, London,

Parents must understand that they are not their child's "best friend". You have a right to enjoy the home you bought and maintain. Your son can either abide by the rules or he should leave. Our family maxim is: "if you wouldn't say it to a stranger, then don't say it to me."

A Stewart, Wellington, New Zealand

Dear Louise - while you are being supported financially by your parents (and I presume you are) you owe them respect and courtesy - you are living in their house. You owe this to everyone - but especially your parents. You are too old to "lash out" like a toddler. If you don't like - get a job.

sandraelliott, London, UK

Do us teenagers a favour and drop the patronising tone. If we lash out it is because we resent having our lives controlled by parents. Why not let us make our own mistakes and give us freedom?

Louise, Loughborough,

Hi all,

Why is the article devoid of father aspect. After all, studies after studies has shown that having father equally in children lives make a well adjusted children.

This is not about my body and my choice.

Rajesh Bhagat, Cardiff, UK