We as adults living in communities often wonder what can we do to keep adolescents safe. A quick look below at the YouTube video clearly illustrates risk taking that many youth would be interested in. Teenagers, more than any other age group, are prone to take risks, to seek fun and excitement. They often do not worry about the consequences. Raging hormones, immature thinking, inexperience, curiosity, and even boredom can sometimes trigger risk taking. They often do not worry about the consequences. Adults look through the lens of risk with the possibility of suffering harm or loss. Whereas youth look upon risk as a venturesome undertaking that includes excitement with unknown outcomes; the more uncertain the more exciting.
Recent findings in adolescent brain research tell us that the adolescent brain has enormous potential for both learning and vulnerability. With the onset of puberty the brain experiences a growth spurt. This growth involves fine-tuning and hardwiring connections that are made between different areas and centers of the brain. It follows a “use it or lose it” pattern – connections that are used are made stronger and connections that are not used are lost. As a result, the brain works more efficiently.
On a positive note, this is a great time for skill development and learning. However, different centers in the brain develop on different time lines. The frontal lobe, the center for rational decision-making and judgement, is not fully developed. It is actually the last part of the brain to fully develop, with an age approximation of twenty-five.
The question still remains - what can we do to keep adolescents safe during this time, especially when it seems their brain is biologically driven to risk taking? It is a good time to think about the positive aspects of risk taking, and to see the teen brain as neither broken nor defective, but instead wonderfully optimized to promote success. Risk taking in adolescents motivates and drives young people to try out new skills and roles. It also enables many young people to be civically engaged and create social change. On the other side, risk taking can transition into negative behavior outcomes such as teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, delinquency, school problems, and violence. Although many young people navigate through adolescence without coming to harm, many others do not. There are moderating factors that
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can facilitate or buffer the transition from risk taking to risky behaviors and behavior outcomes. Temperamental
Adolescent Risk Taking: Why do Adolescents Take Risks and What Can
Adults in Communities do to keep them safe?
Mel Schroeder, Youth and Family Development ([email protected])
As parents, teachers, neighbors, and even public officials at times - we have all been concerned about adolescents and their behavior.