Why does society treat teenagers as if they're mentally incapable?

Get used to it lad. You will go through a few years of mental competence. Then you turn 60 and have to deal with the assumption you've suddenly become senile.

Being an adolescent, your brain is still developing. Add to that your inexperience in life and you may be able to see why you're treated differently than people older than you. That you're responsible enough to hold a job indicates that you're on the right track to being treated as a peer to the older people in your life.

At the age of 17 yrs, there are some people who are mature beyond their years. However, in spite of this, their judgement still may or may not be the best on a consistent basis.

This circumstance might theoretically be different for you. If it (maturity and decision-making abilities) is different it shouldn't change whatever your ambitions are. You should do what your goals are regardless of what negativity those around you might think or expect.

Side note:
Medical science has shown definitively that the part of your brain (cerebral cortex) where the ability to make reasoned decisions is located is not fully developed 'til the age of 25 years.

Probly 'cause they are

I've often heard adolescence defined as temporary insanity.
Naturally, I took exception to the idea. But that was 60 years ago, so it doesn't count.
So, Halfway, be assured that if you are indeed mentally capable, all this will soon become irrelevant.
Then you'll get old.

Well put Neo

Basically agreeing with dales answer.

However, we could fill in the blank here...

Why does society treat______as if they are mentally incapable?

Elders
Women
Republicans
Democrats
Immigrants
Christians
Jews
Muslims
Atheists
ad infinitum
ad nauseam
.............

I like your perspective on this topic. With everything that I have read, and taken in, from everyone, my situation is not that bad. What really matters is that my parents don't limit me, and for the time being, that's all that matters. I should be starting college next year which I am looking forward to. I plan to study medicine.

If you get into geriatrics, Dale and I would be happy to know.

Half, indeed

Sadly I won't be getting into geriatrics, I plan to study pediatrics.

Alas. Dale and I will never get to entertain you with our droll humor.

Why thank you again Neo, at a2k accolades so rare. Made my entire week upcoming

Isn't it interesting in this respect that Sunday is technically the first day of the week whereas most probly think of it as Monday

Cause they are lol. Every teen is mentally incapable. Gotta go through that period of trial and error to become mentally capable. Even then you still gotta learn. Adulthood is a scam. Just so you know. Good luck!

The bitch of it all is you're an Obama Era teen. The self-entitled, spoiled, snowflake, crybaby, safe-spacer who will most likely be a socialist. Not your fault of course, but that's your course. I'm from the Bush Era. We didn't have that labeling problem back in the day. So all through life your segment of the generation will be mentally incapable to even run the Chambers of Congress.

I said people should vote McCain the disaster instead of Obama the catastrophe but NOO!! "Gotta make dat history!" And now an entire generation is labeled as crybaby snowflakes for the rest of their lives. Sorry man. Oh well.

At least you got a good job, good head start, you'll be good to go if you keep your head on straight. You'll probably do stupid **** since your young and all. We all do. But you seem like smart dude. You're gonna be 18 soon so dont worry about society treating teens like they're stupid. Get that college scholarship, grants, whatever you gotta do!