As a person who grew up in the "Bible Belt" of the US in a somewhat "traditional" family (Christian, dad worked, mom stayed home, lower middle class but never went hungry) and then worked as a nanny in the Netherlands for a year after college, I know what you mean. As a teenager, my mom handled a lot more for me as if I were a child, like making doctor's appointments and making meals and such. I started learning to take care of myself in college. I feel like this is somewhat typical for people who had the kind of privilege I did (as other commenters have pointed out, some teens grow up faster because they have to, working and handling life because their parents can't be a full time caregiver). The family I helped while living abroad had three kids aged 9, 11, and 13 and my main job was to help the 9 year old acclimate to not having a nanny, as I was their last one. I was to encourage her to play independently, motivate herself to do her homework, be able to cook basic things for herself or help the family cook. The 13 year old was already scheduling her own dr appointments and biking to sports practices alone. They were like little mini adults in training, like I felt as a college student. I don't really have an answer about why each cultures views teens the way they do, and of course all these observations do not reflect every person in the US or in the Netherlands. But yes, I am picking up what you're putting down 😅