Did you know that in the late adolescent stages of life, teenagers have a 200 percent increased chance of dying? This is because it's proven that the teenage brain is wired for risk taking due to peer pressure and other factors. In Jeanne Miller's informational article ‘The Debt We Owe to the Adolescent Brain’ it is explained through a myriad of different methods and text structures that our brains during adolescence are distinctly different than that of our brains in our childhood and adult years. The first example of this is when Jeanne Miller used compare and contrast in the intro and other parts of the article, she does this by comparing the adolescent brain to neanderthals and animals, comparing the differences between our development. The article begins with this “Polar bears
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We can thank our long period of adolescence for that.” (Miller 1). This quote explains why our species is so adaptable and much more evolved than animals or neanderthals, we have a longer period of adolescence instead of just going from childhood to adulthood and making offspring like other mammals and our ancestors. Furthermore, the adolescent years of our lives are a transitional period and the brain shows it as well. Studies show that the adolescent brain behaves differently under peer pressure compared to other age groups, it is also proven that the teenage brain is structured to take risks and separate from their parents ideals. Dr Casey states “ ‘There is evidence’ she says, ‘that even adolescent rodents tend to hang out with same-aged peers and tend to have more fights with their parents.’ Sounds familiar? These behaviors- sensitivity to influence from peers, taking risks, and pulling away from parents- are hallmarks of human adolescence.” (Casey 6). This elucidates how teens are more likely to have reckless behavior, get into more arguments with parental figures, and how the brain is psychologically wired with uncertainty and risk-taking
We can thank our long period of adolescence for that.” (Miller 1). This quote explains why our species is so adaptable and much more evolved than animals or neanderthals, we have a longer period of adolescence instead of just going from childhood to adulthood and making offspring like other mammals and our ancestors. Furthermore, the adolescent years of our lives are a transitional period and the brain shows it as well. Studies show that the adolescent brain behaves differently under peer pressure compared to other age groups, it is also proven that the teenage brain is structured to take risks and separate from their parents ideals. Dr Casey states “ ‘There is evidence’ she says, ‘that even adolescent rodents tend to hang out with same-aged peers and tend to have more fights with their parents.’ Sounds familiar? These behaviors- sensitivity to influence from peers, taking risks, and pulling away from parents- are hallmarks of human adolescence.” (Casey 6). This elucidates how teens are more likely to have reckless behavior, get into more arguments with parental figures, and how the brain is psychologically wired with uncertainty and risk-taking