In response to ktn: Are teenage brains still developing, obviously. But your argument has very little merit because you do not specify which parts of brain are still developing, and you cannot say how that part of the brain affects attitudes and decisions, if at all. There is absolutely no scientific evidence to say that teenage brains are unable to make decisions based on future consequences. In fact, scientific evidence supports the opposite, and states that teenage minds ARE capable of making decisions based off of future consequences. Instead of justifying poor teenage behavior and poor decisions by saying it is not their fault because teenage minds are just not mature, let's empower them. Let's empower them with the knowledge that they are capable, and responsible, and smart enough to make decisions with the future in mind. While we are at it, let's get after parents to let their kids experience natural consequences of their behavior. A little more if that will go a long way.
ktnFebruary 17, 2015
Well, yes, of course. But what I hoped you would mention and you didn't, is that teenage brains are still in the process of developing the ability to think long-term (and like everything else, some will develop that ability earlier than others). We used to think of teenagers as virtually adult, just influenced by those "raging hormones". Turns out that is not the case. It is less hormones than brain maturity--and the brain is not fully mature until the mid-20s. So yes--teach your children (and young adults) to understand consequences, but don't be surprised when it takes until they are 23 or 26 before it seems to really sink in. Teens choose now because that's the way their brains are, not necessarily because their parents are not enforcing consequences well enough.
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JdsFebruary 21, 2015
In response to ktn: Are teenage brains still developing, obviously. But your argument has very little merit because you do not specify which parts of brain are still developing, and you cannot say how that part of the brain affects attitudes and decisions, if at all. There is absolutely no scientific evidence to say that teenage brains are unable to make decisions based on future consequences. In fact, scientific evidence supports the opposite, and states that teenage minds ARE capable of making decisions based off of future consequences. Instead of justifying poor teenage behavior and poor decisions by saying it is not their fault because teenage minds are just not mature, let's empower them. Let's empower them with the knowledge that they are capable, and responsible, and smart enough to make decisions with the future in mind. While we are at it, let's get after parents to let their kids experience natural consequences of their behavior. A little more if that will go a long way.
ktnFebruary 17, 2015
Well, yes, of course. But what I hoped you would mention and you didn't, is that teenage brains are still in the process of developing the ability to think long-term (and like everything else, some will develop that ability earlier than others). We used to think of teenagers as virtually adult, just influenced by those "raging hormones". Turns out that is not the case. It is less hormones than brain maturity--and the brain is not fully mature until the mid-20s. So yes--teach your children (and young adults) to understand consequences, but don't be surprised when it takes until they are 23 or 26 before it seems to really sink in. Teens choose now because that's the way their brains are, not necessarily because their parents are not enforcing consequences well enough.
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