Those Angsty Teen Years (and why they still control you)

Reward vs. Control

Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D., highlights the imbalance between adolescents' reward-seeking behavior and their underdeveloped self-control, which leads to risk-taking. He explains that adolescents are not uninformed about risks; rather, their brains are wired to focus more on rewards, making them more likely to engage in risky behaviors like driving fast or experimenting with drugs 1. This developmental stage is characterized by a "starting the engines without a good braking system" metaphor, where the reward centers are highly active, but self-control is still maturing 1.

The reason that kids engage in risky behavior isn't that they're uninformed. It's because of this imbalance between this easily aroused, reward-seeking system and this still maturing self-control system.

--- Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D.

Steinberg suggests that instead of trying to change adolescents, which is an uphill battle against biology, we should focus on changing the environments they grow up in 2.

   

Contextual Prevention

Steinberg advocates for contextual prevention strategies to reduce risky behaviors in adolescents. He argues that changing the environment, such as providing structured after-school activities or implementing graduated driver licensing, can be more effective than trying to change the adolescents themselves 2. These interventions create a safer context for adolescents to take healthy risks without engaging in harmful behaviors.

The provision of good, structured, supervised after-school activities for teenagers does more to reduce experimentation with drugs and alcohol than any drug or alcohol education ever does.

--- Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D.

Steinberg points out that despite some progress, American adolescents still face high rates of obesity, STDs, and violence, indicating a need for better strategies 2.