Can Teens Decide for Themselves?
“Rates of deaths by injury between ages 15 to 19 are about six times, that of the ages 10 and 14… as with reproductive hormones, stress hormones can have complex effects on the brain, and as a result, behavior” (Teen Brain: Under Construction). Are 18-year olds mature enough to make life decisions? The answer is no.
Many 18-year olds may think they are mature enough to make adult like decisions yet in reality, they make reckless and risky choices. Teenagers are constantly making decisions like doing drugs and driving while under the influence or on their cellular device. Actions like these make it easier for people to label teenagers as immature. The brain isn’t fully developed until the age 25 but by the age of 18 the brain still has gray matter. This means that the brain has nerve cell bodies and fibers that make up the bulk of the brain’s computing power. Therefore the teenager chooses to make life decisions that can affect their future. “The brain undergoes radical changes …show more content…
An eighteen year old is not ready to face difficult life decisions because their brain isn't fully developed but also because they don't have enough “real world” experience. Eighteen is the age where most people are considered “adults” but nobody really realizes what the world entitles of until at least the age 21. By 18, most people are barely graduating high school and most still depend on their parents at this age. For example they live under their parents roof and most guardians help them financially. These teenagers are still growing and learning about the world around them and how it works. Eighteen year olds still have a whole life ahead of them and at this age most teenagers don’t have the developed mindset and priorities of an adult so they will obviously not be ready to make adult like
“Rates of deaths by injury between ages 15 to 19 are about six times, that of the ages 10 and 14… as with reproductive hormones, stress hormones can have complex effects on the brain, and as a result, behavior” (Teen Brain: Under Construction). Are 18-year olds mature enough to make life decisions? The answer is no.
Many 18-year olds may think they are mature enough to make adult like decisions yet in reality, they make reckless and risky choices. Teenagers are constantly making decisions like doing drugs and driving while under the influence or on their cellular device. Actions like these make it easier for people to label teenagers as immature. The brain isn’t fully developed until the age 25 but by the age of 18 the brain still has gray matter. This means that the brain has nerve cell bodies and fibers that make up the bulk of the brain’s computing power. Therefore the teenager chooses to make life decisions that can affect their future. “The brain undergoes radical changes …show more content…
An eighteen year old is not ready to face difficult life decisions because their brain isn't fully developed but also because they don't have enough “real world” experience. Eighteen is the age where most people are considered “adults” but nobody really realizes what the world entitles of until at least the age 21. By 18, most people are barely graduating high school and most still depend on their parents at this age. For example they live under their parents roof and most guardians help them financially. These teenagers are still growing and learning about the world around them and how it works. Eighteen year olds still have a whole life ahead of them and at this age most teenagers don’t have the developed mindset and priorities of an adult so they will obviously not be ready to make adult like