Risk taking is considered an everyday staple of life and a major part of growing up. When we limit the risks we take in our lives we also limit the capabilities those risks present, such as encountering new experiences and situations that improve us as human beings. Risk taking is imperative to personal growth and when discussed in good context it seems harmless, however that is only a half truth. To say risk taking is always safe is completely incorrect and sometimes these risks are often unsafe and not thought out. This essay addresses the following question, why do teenagers engage in this form of unhealthy risk taking? I will also be discussing whether or not certain groups are more at risk and any known strategies to make teenagers aware …show more content…
Good risk taking is considered to be a risk that is relatively safe and rewarding in its outcomes. This can include any form of sport such as swimming, football, basketball. It can also include academic accomplishments such as high achievement, creative abilities such as dancing or music, community service and even travelling around the world. Bad risk taking is often associated with the use of alcohol, drugs, unprotected sex, reckless driving and illegal online activity (Raising children network, 2015). All of which present themselves in potentially dangerous environments and offer no beneficial outcome.When discussing these risks more often or not this form of good risk taking is often overshadowed by bad risk taking, especially when paired with teenagers in modern day society. However there is a major misconception with this viewpoint, as parents have a pre-conceived notion that teenagers act this way due to some form of …show more content…
Discussing the consequences of dangerous risk taking is one such example that is effective. For example, the implications of dangerous driving could be a number of things, crippling injuries that could take a toll on them, there family and friends, hitting another civilian or even death. Another effective strategy is to encourage a teen to pursue healthy risk taking activities such as sport, music or any creative outlet (Chris Hudson, 2015). Setting a good example as an adult to a teenager is also imperative as many teens typically mimic the risk taking patterns that there parents display (Chris Hudson,
One of the many ways negativity can help is by positively changing teenager’s actions. For example, when there is a criminal offence, the initial reaction people have is to throw the person in jail. However, studies show that this is not always the best solution. Mistakes can actually
If children have not developed a good level of self-control they are susceptible to live a life of crime and partake in other socially unacceptable behavior. They are often focused on the immediate pleasure and don’t consider the risks or harm that cou...
Bancroft, Angus, and Sarah Wilson. "The 'Risk Gradient' In Policy on Children of Drug and Alcohol Users: Framing Young People as Risky." Health, Risk & Society 9.3 (2007): 311-322. Business Source Complete. Web. 16 Jan. 2014.
One of the most complicated puzzles that have faced our society and you, the parents, is that of the teenage brain. The reason that this has been stumping our heads is because this puzzle isn’t even complete. The adolescent brain is developed from back to front creating many complications for their decisions. This both helps and damages us. With this ability, we have an easier ability to learn new things, easier time adapting to our environment, and we seek new thrilling experiences. The ways this hinders us is that we have bad decision making, emotions controlling our decisions, sensitivity to social and emotional information, and the seeking of immediate rewards. Although a teenager’s brain is not fully
Moreover, I think taking risks in the lives has a lot of benefits for development or education. We need to give responsibility to our child because they are taking risk and assuming responsibility which often goes hand in hand for example “giving a child her first pocket knife at, say age 9 not only gives her the advantage of experiencing a little risk play with a sharp object. It signals that she’s responsible for keeping herself and others safer”. Michael Ungal 28.
According to national teen driving statistics, 16-year-olds, in particular, are 3 (three) times more likely to die in a crash than the average of all drivers, and they have higher crash rates than any other age group. In 2008; 81% of teenage crash deaths were passenger vehicle occupants, 31% of teenage drivers killed had been drinking alcohol, 55% were not buckled up, and 37% of male teenage drivers involved in fatalities were speeding. Teenagers who drink and drive have a greater risk of serious crashes than older drivers with equal blood alcohol concentrations. Teens do not wear seat/safety belts as much as adults. Teens tend to take more risks due to overconfidence in their abilities. These risks include: speeding, tailgating (driving too close to the vehicle in front), running red lights, violating traffic signals and signs, illegal turns, dangerous passing, and failure to yield to pedestrians.
In this day and age you see people who are making bad decisions, for example the use of drugs and underage drinking. The decision to do these things is most of the time done by people who are adolescents. These people don't think about the real consequences that it could have later in their lives or even the damage that it does to their bodies right now. These people do it without thinking.
We live our entire lives caring about other people 's opinions of ourselves where they seem to become our own but they don’t have to. While most of us as we grow up will realize how foolish this was and be themselves anyway; It takes too long, as children we are not shown to be ourselves but shown to follow the crowd, the safe route. The younger generations need to see that risks can change your life for the better and let each of us live a happier more fulfilled
During the adolescent year’s children goes through physical and mental changes which could cause them to act deviant. Family support and good family structure is needed to help an adolescent cope with changes in their behavior. Other family crises such as parents’ divorce, death, and economics factor can trigger a child to act out differently as a mean to seek attention. Juveniles are not as good at decision making as adults, because they are young and does not have much experience in life they could make bad decisions that would make their life difficult. Youngsters do not think of the consequences of their action thus “they face deciding whether to engage in a risky behavior, such as taking drugs, shoplifting, or getting into a fight, in situation involving emotions, stress, peer pressure, and little time for reflection” (national academic press). Adults could think rationally where as children do not develop to think rationally between the ages of ten and seventeen thus children should not be punished as bad as an adult.
Young people have an extremely hard time with self control. Self control is a key element when considering the current tactics taught by DARE educators; most teens simply do not have the will to just walk away from a conflicting situation such as a peer offering...
Wier, R. F., & Peters, C. (2004). Affirming the decisions adolescents make about life and
Adolescence is a stage in life that is marred by physical and hormonal changes that influence a person’s field of decision-making. During this time, adolescents are enticed to experiment on drugs and other dangerous habits. Research has shown that substance abuse among the youth leads to troubled interpersonal relationships, increased vehicle accidents, physical dependence, unprotected sex, increased hostility, and increased suicidal ideation (Hansell & White, 1991; Newcomb, Scheier & Bentler, 1993; North, 2012).
Many parents are confused on why their teens behave in a impulsive, irrational, and risky behavior. A study showed that brain activity and brain changes is unique in teenagers. A teenagers brain is different from an adult and a young child 's wich is proven with research by psychologists. “ Although teens want to explore
...Connor, G. (2012). Adolescence Risky Drinking: Source of Alcohol and The Role of The Parents. New South Wales: University of Newcastle.
Why do adults label teenagers as irresponsible? Surely, these older critics were much the same at our age. For example, adults presume that all teenagers are disgraceful when they are exposed to alcohol. However, with the right guidance and support, teenagers can keep within limits and celebrate special occasions with dignity and self-discipline. This is why the legal drinking age should be lowered. Additionally, no matter what laws are in place, teenagers will always drink under age: largely due to curiosity. Stories intrigue younger teenagers to experience the sensation for themselves, through their own experiences.