Brain not developed until Twenty-Five Yrs Old

Brain not developed until Twenty-Five Yrs Old

Brain not developed fully until the Twenties.  Most people may think a child can make life-time decisions in their teens.  Like drinking, taking drugs or having babies.  With the knowledge that the child’s brain is not developed fully until their twenties how can they make life-changing decisions?   I realize that one can join the military at 18 but when drugs and drinking can start at a very early age it can do irreparable damage.  Having a baby as a teenager stops anything enjoyable as a young adult.  There are always going to be parents that allow their youngsters to drink or even encourage them to have babies young.  But, for the most part by the time those young people want to stop drinking they are alcoholics and have to go through treatment.  And having a baby can put off any college or dreams a young woman may have.   The negative things in a young person’s life may stop any hope they have for their life.  But, when you think about the fact that our brains are not developed until we are in our twenties, it affects the future differently.

Brain not developed until Twenty-Five Yrs Old

It is most important to emphasize the positive in school and decision-making.  I was a single mother and I put my daughter on the pill young and gave my son condoms.  However, I did not want my babies, teenagers, having babies.  I wanted them to grow up and be able to make that decision.   And I have had family members that became alcoholics in my teenage years.  It usually takes a person who starts drinking in teen years until they are in their late ’30s or ’40s to finally wake up to the time wasted.

Be proactive and talk with your child.  Let them know the dangers.  Go over literature about drinking and drugs.  And how addictive these things are because their brain is not developed fully and how easy it is to become addicted.

How Do I Teach My Child How to Make Good Decisions?