Teen Brain Is Drawn To Risk

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Eighteenth century activist Madame de Stael once said about the human mind, “The human mind always makes progress, but it is a progress in spirals” (Stael). New data may prove this a scientific reality for teenagers. The data gathered suggests that a teenager’s brain isn’t developed until later in life, making decisions difficult. Many teens may agree with this statement as they might have not thought out the consequences completely, such as in the love story Romeo and Juliet, where the two get married in secret then commit suicide as a result of not being able to be together. Considering different views and sources, the teenage brain is incapable of making good decisions since the brain is physically drawn to risk and decision making parts …show more content…
In “Why he Teen Brain Is Drawn to Risk”, postdoctoral student and lead author of a teenage risk study says,” Relative to adults, adolescents engage more in unknown risks than they do in known risks” (qtd. in Szalavitz) and later in the article she also says,” If the risks are known, adolescents engage (in risk-taking) less than adults do, but if they are unknown, this is reversed” (qtd. in Szalavitz); essentially saying teenagers partake in activities mainly if the risk is unknown to them. Eventually, as adolescents grow in the world, they will encounter all kinds of risks, such as gambling or sex. In fact, the average teenager is much more likely to do one of these activities or any other activity if they are unaware of the risks and/or consequences that will arise. In Romeo and Juliet, the love tragedy, hours after meeting at a party, the two agree to get married as Juliet states to Romeo, “If that thy bent of love be honourable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow” (II.2.144-145); saying if Romeo wants to get married, let her know immediately and Romeo obliges. Both Romeo and Juliet are in their teens and are acting very impulsively to getting married. This impulsiveness and poor decision making arise as both Romeo and Juliet are unaware of the troubles and the consequences that will occur later. In conclusion, teens are much more likely to do an action with consequences if they are unaware of the