I had a mate who was allowed to do everything from a young age - she could even do drugs at home (she lived downstairs in her own 'apartment' on the property) and go out from about 14 to clubs. I had the opposite - I wasn't allowed to do any of that and consequently snuck out at 16 to do such things, and got caught, and felt terrible because they were so disappointed in me (longer story than that, and I still wish I hadn't, given what happened, but I dont want to tell that story). I didn't envy my friend her freedom that much - in fact I appreciated that my parents loved me and wanted to protect me. I had lots of freedom to go surfing and ride horses and we went on bushwalks with the family or little holidays away camping or up to Melbourne which she didn't get. I know what I remember most fondly - time with my parents. They were good people and fun to hang out with. I don't think a 'middle ground' would have been applicable for me - I don't think kids should be allowed out to smoke bongs and lose their virginity to boys at 12, or whatever the 'freedom' may be. Sometimes parents do know best. And some are just not very good parents - but then, they are but human on a human journey, something we often don't realise til we are fully formed humans ourselves.