Why don't my parents trust me?

It’s their job as parents to be suspicious.

they are most likely projecting themselves on you (thinking what they would have done if they were your age). Not fair but most parents do it.

They don’t trust you because they were young once, and know that youth and temptation make a bad combination, and you’re now a stage of your life when bad decisions can have dire consequences. As you’re going to university in the autumn, they’ll have no choice but to trust you, so it may be best to bide your time and put up with their suspicion.

<hugs> honey, its not you they don’t trust, I promise, it’s the world around you. They’re scared of you getting hurt, and them not being able to prevent it, of someone you maybe trust leading you into danger, or a million other different things they haven’t even thought about yet, but every time either of them picks up a newspaper or switches on the tv and sees a story about a teenager being injured, disappearing, or getting killed even, they’ll think of you and it’ll kill them all over again. All you can do is to keep showing them through your actions (like phoning when you say you will, and being home when you say you will be) that you can be trusted to avoid anything dangerous, such as drugs. They just love you a lot is all honey. Treasure that, because some day, believe it or not, you’ll wish they were still there to do it. hugs xx
ps: good luck in Uni, you’ll love it :-)

They don’t trust you because they’re stupid, and YOU know everything – it’s threatening to them.

I think bunny girl has the correct answer. The world is different from when they were young and from what they read and see on the telly, it’s a scary place for you to be. They DO trust you enough to let you go off to school. Some parents can’t trust and let go that much. So wait patiently for September. And then use the good judgment you have to protect yourself. Always remember that you can say no and mean it. And you can leave a situation that is threatening to you. You know what’s right and what’s wrong. Stick to it. You’ll never be sorry.

They’re on to you!....or they have a guilty conscience about their own activities when they were your age.

I totally agree with @cheebdragon
A) If you have never ever broken trust or lied and have been an angel then B) they have a guilty conscience

I disagree with the above 2 answers. xshortiex reminds me of myself. The guilty party, in this case, is the media. Every time a child is kidnapped, it’s all over the news. The truth is that about 90% of kidnappers are the non-custodial parent after a divorce. Every death from over drinking or other over-indulgence makes it sound like it happens every weekend. Car crashes? Always top news if there’s a death. Multiple deaths? Pictures! Of course people are scared. Look at all the news!

Also. I know that september must feel like ages away, but it’s really not, honey. It’ll pass in a heartbeat, and before then you’ll have a lot to organise and arrange for leaving. @Sunny2 has given you some wonderful advice, remember to trust your own instincts, you’ll know what to do in any situation if you only listen to yourself. I think your Mum and Dad must be so proud of you, they’ve obviously raised a very responsible, intelligent, lovely person. You’ll have a great time at uni sweetheart, just remember to phone home now and again and help them not worry? sending you mountains of hugs and best wishes, xx
ps: just seen @Sunny2‘s reply above, and of course she’s right. honestly, you can’t switch on the news, or pick up a paper, it’s a wonder anyone leaves the house, ever! These dangers, even exploited by the media as they are, with footage being shown, and re-shown, are real though, so your poor parents must feel ill every time you’re away from them. Just show them, what you’ve shown us, that you’re a very sensible, responsible person. hugs xx

To gain trust you must earn it.

Your parents may be overprotective but that is because they know world can be a cruel place sometimes. I too think @bunnygrl‘s answer could be close to what is going on.

There also could be more to your story. If I take my oldest son as an example: he often can’t remember some of the bone headed things he’s done because his damn brain is in the process of growing and re-wiring. It is amazing to watch.

Persevere: be trustworthy and they’ll eventually come around. If not you are a stone’s throw away from your own adult life.

It they give you the impression they don’t trust you, it could be for a variety of reasons having absolutely nothing to do with you: they’re afraid for you after reading all about “kids your age,” they remember how they were at your age, they’re trying to make sure that you make every effort to give them good reason to trust you, etc.

The whole thing is moot if you’re 18. You’re an adult now, and are responsible for yourself. Just don’t allow your frustration with your parents’ lack of trust to drive you to “prove them right!”

It’s not you, personally. They don’t trust your inexperience, and they don’t trust the rest of the world to take care of their child. They are correct on both counts.

Good points!

They trust you they just don’t trust your mate(s). Do not take offense…someday you will understand.

I had to think about this..something is wrong when maybe parents don’t trust what they have taught kids, most children instilled with the proper morales and values will make it through life just fine. Everything happens for a reason, sometimes it can be a bad thing but it’s silly to think that when just going out into the street could get you killed but it’s seems time consuming to go and mistrust the latter of the population because there are bad people in the world no matter what but if you are a parent who is a leader to your child/ren you can lead them on the right path. And if you give them respect they will usually respect you back. Moral of the story is…we don’t just send our soldiers into battle unarmed and without training it would be useless, if their is the proper training background the odds could be better, still frightening but at least there is a better chance of survival.

Maybe they read Fluther posts and have seen all of the stupid things that people do even though they’ve been told repeatedly (on the thread for their question) that what they are doing is harmful, wreckless, foolish, dangerous and pitiful. But then those people are bound and determined to keep doing these things anyway because he or she is in love or can’t help themselves or would rather die then stop or thinks he or she is supposed to do these things so he or she won’t appear foolish to their friends. It’s enough to make a parent want to chain their child in their bedroom.

Somehow, you have to prove to your parents, by fine examples, that you aren’t one of these foolish, wreckless, dangerous pitiful people. Prove it by words and deeds. And ask them what kinds of things they would like you to do to prove your trustworthiness and would give them a sense that you act in a rational manner to keep yourself safe.

You could respond with, “Interesting. I must think that you’re better parents than you do.” Then walk away, and let them think about that for a bit.