Teens are notorious for acting in ways that are risky and even physically dangerous. This is not merely a cultural perception, but is a well-documented fact. According to the Centers for Disease Control, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely to be involved in a car accident than other age groups. Teens have many reasons for engaging in risk-taking behavior, and one or more reasons may influence a teen's choice to do so.
Normal Development
Teens are at the stage of life when they are preparing to separate from their parents. Part of the separation process involves taking risks, some of which are very healthy. Author and adolescent psychiatrist Lynn E. Ponton, M.D. points out that risk-taking is necessary for teens to "discover, develop and consolidate their identity." For example, a teen must be willing to take on some amount of risk in order to successfully get a job, go away to college or get his own apartment. Teens who are particularly risk-adverse may have difficulty becoming independent.
Unfortunately, the need to take risks does not stop with gathering the courage to ask someone for a job. During this time in their lives, teens may experiment with drugs and alcohol, have premarital sex and demonstrate a lack of caution in driving.
Depression and Anxiety
Depression can cause a teen to feel a lack of regard for her own life. The lack of regard can manifest itself in risky behavior that has destructive overtones. If parents or teachers see a teenager acting out in risky ways, it is essential that they consider that depression may be the cause and seek appropriate assessment and treatment, as risk-taking is a common symptom of depression and other mental disorders.
Anxiety can also cause teens to behave in a self-destructive manner. Teens who are anxious over the future may unconsciously sabotage future opportunities. For example, a teen who is anxious about leaving home to attend college may become pregnant and insist on keeping the baby, effectively derailing plans for college at that moment in time.
Feelings of Invincibility
Most teens do not feel a strong sense of mortality. The classic "It'll never happen to me" aptly describes the thinking and decision-making process of many teens. This feeling can be exacerbated if teens are bailed out of precarious situations by their parents, as teens may feel that there will always be someone around to rescue them from the consequences of their behavior. This "perceived invulnerability" has a positive side, according to psychology professor Daniel Lapsley, as it can help to protect adolescents from being traumatized by life experiences.
Lack of Life Experience
Teens, due to their ages, may not understand the consequences behind some of their actions. Even if they have been told the possible outcome of a behavior, such as using drugs, they may have a flimsy knowledge of the justice system and of the biological effect of drugs on the body. Parents may teach their children to use caution and discretion, but many find that their teens engage in risky behavior regardless of the moral code that they have been taught. Knowing that risky behavior is undesirable may change the ways teens think, but not how they act, according to researcher Laurence Steinburg at Temple University.
Peers
While it is common knowledge that peer pressure can cause some teens to take risks, what is not commonly known is that the mere presence of peers can influence and increase risk-taking behavior. For example, a teen who is driving with friends in the car has an increased chance of getting in a crash. Teens may also feel that they have something to prove to peers, and in some circles, risk-taking behavior can increase social status.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Injury Prevention and Control--Motor Vehicle Safety
- MiddleWeb: Adolescent Risk-Taking
- Ozarks Technical Community College: What Families Should Know About Adolescent Depression and Treatment Options (PDF)
- University of Notre Dame: Study Lends Scientific Support to Popular Idea About Teen Risk-Taking
- Temple University: Risk-Taking in Adolescence (PDF)
