In here, the teens are seeking for adventure and experiment with different ideas. During this time, the adolescent battles over his own set of values vs. The set established by parents and other adult figures. They also begin to take on more control of educational and vocational pursuits and advantages. It is during this time that adolescents' self-dependence and a sense of responsibility become apparent, along with their quest to contribute to society and find their place in it.
With the way they respond to peer pressure, social demands and other factors that lead to irresponsible actions, teens should know their consequences. Excessive drinking, smoking and drugs can cause damage to vital organs including liver, lungs, heart and pancreas. It can also cause death, not only of the person who consumed such but of a third party as well. Drinking while driving may cause an accident or worse, even death while drugs give a hallucinating or delirious effect that could harm oneself or another individual. Sexually active persons can have sexually transmitted disease and can cause even pregnancy. There are endless enumerations which could lead to body malfunctions, illnesses or even third party accidents or death if not properly treated or acted upon.
In this note, we can say that the effects of a teenager's decision can be associated with the hormonal changes and the brain's reaction to these transformations. However, it should not be used to justify their incompetent or negligent act he or she should be held responsible for. A person has control over his body and has freedom to choose what to do, which puts up him a position that if something is done wrong, he or she must be accountable and pay for his actions.
To parents, guardians, teachers and adults, put your shoes in their situation. It is best not to forget that you were once a teen and had the similar experiences the way they do. Be interested and open-minded with what they are doing, be a friend, listen, understand, learn to adapt to changes by understanding their generation and refrain from judging his or...
Wherever possible give teens some choice. Remember that their developmental stage of life is pulling for individuation. By offering them a degree of choice, we allow our teenagers some ownership in the chore or in the solution to the problem. And this, in turn, satisfies their developmental drive to seek more initiative in, and control over their day-to-day lives. Treat them like an adult but draw the line when rules are crossed or disobeyed.
Bibliography
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Teenage Risk-taking: Biological and Inevitable? (2007). Retrieved April 22, 2007 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070412115231.htm
Adolescence. (2007). Retrieved April 22, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence
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The Physiological Development of Adolescent. (2007). Retrieved April 22, 2007 from http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1991/5/91.05.07.x.html#b
Judith Rader. (2006) Teenage Discipline Issues. Retrieved April 23, 2007 from http://www.councilforrelationships.org/articles/teenage-discipline_8-21-06.htm
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James Alexander. (2003). Adolescent Behavior Problems. Retrieved April 23, 2007 from http://www.christineprosser.com/articles/behavior.html
Ronald Dahl, M.D. (2003). Beyond Raging Hormones: The Tinderbox in the Teenage Brain.
Retrieved April 22, 2007 from www.dana.org/pdf/specialpublications/cerebrum_dahl.pdf
