What do teens think about overprotective parents?

I am the 18 year old daughter of two very, very overprotective parents. I realise I am but one person and my opinion does no reflect the opinions of the entire teenage population, but here's what I have to say:

First of all, I do know that all they want for me is the best, for me to be safe and to grow up and be successful, but I also have to say that my overprotective parents drive me absolutely nuts.

I hate they way they make me feel as though I am untrustworthy and not capable of making my own decisions. I feel like a 5 year old child, always looking for approval and guidance from my parents. I shouldn't feel like this, I can vote for my country's Prime Minister, I am legally allowed to drink and I have my own licence. I do not understand why they think I am not capable of mature decisions. The law enforcement and the Government of this country thinks I can, why don't my parents?

My entire life they have forbidden me from seeing friends outside of school, unless it's a heavily supervised activity somewhere 'safe' i.e a friend's house or somwhere like a public swimming pool. I went through highschool an outcast as a result of my parents' reluctance to let me participate in activities outside of school such as weekend parties and shopping trips. Very occassionally I am allowed to join in with my few friends, after many calls between my parents and the parents of the host of the event. The result of this being my friends, and even their 'laidback' parents, thinking my parents were odd and very strict. My friends eventually gave up inviting me places because they already knew what my parents's answer would be: "NO!" My parents do not realise that that is how peers my age make close friends, they do 'fun' things together. They also do not realise that this is how we learn to deal with the real world. I've been in quite a few situations where I have had to call upon friends for help dealing with it, because I did know how to myself and I did not want my already 'too involved' parents to have anything to do with it.

I just wish Mum and Dad could see this, and feel how I feel. I've tried explaining to them how their overprotectiveness has affected me, but they do not seem to understand. The still believe they are doing the best for me by restricting my ability to think for myself.

In short, it's made me crazy and I wish, everyday, that my parents were different.