When teens make terrible decisions: A guide for parents
By James McCue, Edith Cowan University
From getting beyond drunk at a friend’s party, to some seriously questionable outfit choices, teenagers often do things that seem outlandishly stupid.
But there is a biological reason for this behaviour: the areas of the brain that control decision-making don’t fully develop until early adulthood.
A teen’s developing brain places them at greater risk of being reactive in their decision-making, and less able to consider the consequences of their choices.
So how can parents help their teenagers learn and apply good decision-making skills?
The difference between ‘know’ and ‘do’
Most children demonstrate an understanding of “right” and “wrong” behaviour from […]