Risky behaviours among teenagers

There is a new interesting opinion from a study observing why risky behaviours are so common among teenagers and what might be done to curtail it. The common sense shared by most of our parents are that the teens think they are immortal or invunerable, immune to the hazards, or do not appreciate the risk involved in activities like driving under alcohol influence, having unprotected sex, driving too fast, binge-drinking, or experimenting with drugs. Simply said, we teenagers are short-minded and blind compared to the adults.

Is that really the case? It isn't, apparently, according to the study. The opposite fact turns out to be that actually teenagers are too well-aware of their vulnerability and the risks involved, that they overestimate their risk of obtaining negative effects from events such as unprotected sex. But when we indeed actually weigh the risk and benefit, our mind send a signal to just do and go ahead because the benefits outweigh the risks. As for the perception of vulnerability, another studied conducted a decade ago found that adolescence estimated much higher risks of their dying than the actual risks. Showing us the videos of car crashing may do nothing to reduce future risk-taking. Moreover, showing us the actual risks of those behaviour could backfire, leading us to realize that the actual risks of behaviours like unprotected sex are not as heavy as we thought before.

A new developed strategy offered by the study suggested that the best approach would be based on "gist", an overall sense of what the is the best course of actions. As people getting older and more experienced, their decision would drive towards this so-called gist. This approach allowing adults to reach the bottom line more quickly and, in doing so, reduce their risky behaviour. For example, while an adolescent might consider playing Roussian roulette for $1million payoffs, an adult would be more inclined to think that the amount of money is not worth a one in six chance of dying.

Gist is based on culture, background, and experiences, and experience is what the teens lack. However, there are some ways to create this gist, even based on other people's experiences. For example, after knowing that many young girls getting unwanted pregnancies because of unprotected sex, we should practice the approach of say "no" and not worry about losing our boyfriend. Do feel confident, dont feel stupid, and even if people think you're stupid that's their problem, not ours.

At the same time, the study suggested that older adolescence are better at feeling the cue of possible danger from the environment, as well as learning from consequences than younger adolescence. So for the younger ones, rather than relying on them to make the decision, a better way is to supervise them to protect themselves by removing opportunities for risk taking, such as filling their time with positive activities. Young girls should not be left alone at home with their boyfriend, and omnipresent adults should be present and alcohol absents in teenagers parties.

Taken from NYTIMES