As you may well know, taking risks is a normal thing for most teenagers. For them, it’s like testing the boundaries and living the prime life; it is their own way of discovering life on their own terms. Indeed, the average teen takes at least one major risk before outgrowing teenagehood. Interestingly, no matter the degree of such risks, hardly do they result in actual bodily harm.
Yet it is a normal thing for parents to worry over their teens’ risky behaviour while also forewarning them about the possible dangers that could result due to risky-taking. After all, quite a number of teens have lost their lives by the mere fact that they took risks. In any case, this post helps parents understand some of the reasons why teenagers like to take risk. Some of these reasons you possibly already know. But just in case you didn’t, then you are welcome. Read through please…
TEENS’ LEVEL OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT: If you are regularly reader of Passnownow blog post, you must have noticed that we talk a lot about teenagers’ brain development and such related topics. Well this is because most if not all of the things they do are influenced by their stage of mental development. During teenagehood, teenagers’ brains are yet to fully develop; meaning that they are unable to make the kind of [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][rational] decision an adult would make. They can quickly act on impulse without thinking through their action. Take for instance what happened some years ago- a certain boy gave into peer pressure and decided to jump down from a two story building just to prove that he can. Unfortunately, he broke his ankle and still limps till date whenever he walks! That was an unnecessary risk that he took. It could have been avoided.
TEENAGERS LOVE TO TEST THE BOUNDARIES: This is probably the major reason why teenagers expose themselves to risks of various forms. They want to fully experience their teenagehood because who knows…that might probably be the only time they will ever have to do so. It would be stupid to see a grown adult behaving in certain childish ways, right? That’s right! So teens use the opportunity they as teenagers to explore life and in so doing, they potentially expose themselves to risks.
THE NEED TO FIT IN IS YET ANOTHER REASON: Teenage years are the only times when humans feel the most vulnerable. They can become so easily influenced, especially by their mates and as such often try to do anything possible to fit in. In other words, they seek approval. This is why they can easily succumb to Peer Pressure just like the boy earlier mentioned who jumped from a two story building. Sadly, in the process of trying to fit in and doing anything to be accepted, they easily expose themselves to risks.
In conclusion, it should be noted that it is practically impossible to prevent teens from taking risks; it is their nature. But parents and teachers should continuously talk to about the dangers inherent in risks as well as the need to be careful.
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