Is it accepted that rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25?

[Anonymous]

If the following is true it seems I'm off the hook somewhat for my teen's misbehavior. I'd like to know if you agree or disagree with the following:

The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so.

In fact, recent research has found that adult and teen brains work differently. Adults think with the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s rational part. This is the part of the brain that responds to situations with good judgment and an awareness of long-term consequences. Teens process information with the amygdala. This is the emotional part.

In teens' brains, the connections between the emotional part of the brain and the decision-making center are still developing—and not always at the same rate. That’s why when teens have overwhelming emotional input, they can’t explain later what they were thinking. They weren’t thinking as much as they were feeling.

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051

[Anonymous]

Stop dismissing your child's poor behavior and give them expectations, consequences and teach.

[Anonymous]

No, it just reinforces why your job of parenting doesn't really end until age 25 or so.

[Anonymous]

No. It's perfectly true, but people don't know or forget, and legally, the age of full responsibility is 18. So better watch out!

[Anonymous]

20+ year olds aren't teenagers.

[Anonymous]

What did your kid do?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses. First time in this forum. Tough crowd!
-- OP

[Anonymous]

There's a lot of space between "not 100% fully developed" and "whatever, nothing I can do."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a lot of space between "not 100% fully developed" and "whatever, nothing I can do."

+1

Yes, adolescent and young adults aren't fully developed. But they aren't completely immature, either. Parenting means, among other things, helping facilitate the development of reasoning skills and good judgment.

[Anonymous]

Appreciate the further comments. They gives me more perspective than I had. Thank you.
-- OP

[Anonymous]

I don’t think you’re off the hook. You still have the duty to avoid the problems from their poor decision making skills until they are adults. You might get a break for a first offense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a lot of space between "not 100% fully developed" and "whatever, nothing I can do."

+1

Yes, adolescent and young adults aren't fully developed. But they aren't completely immature, either. Parenting means, among other things, helping facilitate the development of reasoning skills and good judgment.

Another +1.

[Anonymous]

I had two kids, owned a home, was married and had two college degrees at age 25. I’m 43 now, and I think this gives older teens (young adults) a pass to not have their crap together, or an excuse for lousy decision making. I’m not a perfect parent by any stretch of the imagination, and raising teens is difficult, but I expect them to use their heads and rise to the occasion.

[Anonymous]

Yes. The article is true/correct.

Does this mean a teen is not responsible for their behavior... no.

The age of reason is 7.

It does mean that teens and young adults need clear and precise direction/guidance.

I work with a group that creates policies at colleges and you can’t just make willie nillie rules that are illogical and you have to clearly communicate expectations.

Are there some young adults that can function without clear direction, yes. They quite often have anxieties and follow every rule to a T, not exactly optimal.

What exactly is up with your teen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had two kids, owned a home, was married and had two college degrees at age 25. I’m 43 now, and I think this gives older teens (young adults) a pass to not have their crap together, or an excuse for lousy decision making. I’m not a perfect parent by any stretch of the imagination, and raising teens is difficult, but I expect them to use their heads and rise to the occasion.

Proof that people under the age of 25 should not be making decisions.

Your not a neurologist either.