What do adults think of teens?

"They’re rebellious—that’s good!"
—Fred Ingas, 27, an engineer

"They’re just maturing quicker than my generation. They’re more independent. They behave like adults."
—Ernesto Rocco, 30, flower shop owner

"Some of them are obnoxious. Loud. On the other hand, I see a lot more going to school, trying to do something with their lives."
—Denise Silano, 21, salesperson

"Adults look at teenagers with suspicion, but we were all children once, and just want to love and be loved."
—Kate McDaniel, a graphic artist from Mission Viejo who’s in her 40s

"Teens are doing good, they know what’s going on."
—Josh Arieta, 26, a teacher

"Kids want to be independent and feel like adults. You either make it in life, or you go to jail."
—Onivier Debray, 36 of West L.A.

"It’s not better or worse, but things seem to start younger. It does seem like teens are getting wilder and wilder and wilder. Sixteen-year-olds are dressing like 25-year-olds. But people thought my generation was wild too. On the positive side, teens today are more computer-wise and more savvy. That’s probably why things have sped up, because things are more accessible. I’m not worried; things go in a cycle. They’ll be fine—maybe even better."
—Ernest Carter, 38, a Silver Lake buyer

"The youth of today just don’t utilize the power they have. They are the most powerful people on earth."
—Dragon, 40, a Los Angeles process server with two teenage sons

"They are allowed to do things they are too young to do—they want everything and are very materialistic."
—Michele Bohbot, 40, a designer

"I’m scared for them. Look at our economy … drugs … too much sex."
—Trisha Cohn, 26, who does promotional advertisements