Risky Behaviors
Teenagers are growing toward adulthood. Part of this transition includes learning how to handle challenging, at times difficult, situations. Teens need to have the opportunity to:
- Explore adult roles;
- Develop decision-making skills and independence;
- Assume adult responsibilities;
- Experience adult rewards; and
- Acknowledge adult consequences.
Often this development includes risks. Risks can be good or bad, potentially healthy or unhealthy. Don't be afraid of your teen taking risks. Most teens get involved in healthy and challenging behaviors, some of which can be risky such as mountain biking, skateboarding, and extreme sports.
Pre-teens and teens experience significant brain growth until they reach their early- to mid-twenties. While this is happening, teens do not always accurately weigh the good and the bad of risks when making decisions. They need their parents and other caring adults to guide, encourage, and instruct them so they will choose healthy risks and avoid unhealthy risks.
Positive risk-taking can lead to real growth and development for teens. But getting involved in unhealthy risks can lead to educational, health, and emotional problems. Unhealthy risks include alcohol, drug, and tobacco use, sex, and violence. (Risk-taking also can involve computers and the Internet, and video games.)
One unhealthy risk often leads to another:
- Teens who smoke are more likely to drink alcohol and use drugs. 79
- Teens who drink alcohol and use drugs are more likely to have sex. 80
- Teens who drink are seven times more likely than teens who don't to have had sex. 81
- Teens who use drugs are five times more likely to have had sex. 82
- When teens were asked in a recent survey if they were drinking or using drugs the last time they had sex, almost one in four of them said "yes". 83
The good news is that lots of teens never get involved in unhealthy and risky behaviors. The bad news is that lots do:
- Almost half (46%) of youth in grades 7-12 have never been involved in risky behaviors. 84
- One in four (26%) have been involved in 1 risky behavior. 85
- One in four (24%) have been involved in 2-4 risky behaviors. 86
- Four percent - or four out of every hundred teens - have been involved in 5 or more risky behaviors. 87
The other good news is that parents can help protect their teens from unhealthy behaviors. Parents who share their values and their love help protect their children. (Visit Enjoying a Good Relationship with Your Son or Daughter.)
Last revised: April 21, 2008
