After reading and pondering the debate about teens lacking adult reasoning capacity, yet being held to adult consequences, what do you think this means for you as a teacher?
I think that it is important to explain this reality to students. It is also really important to model sound reasoning so that they have something to model.
Philip...yes! I totally agree with you that teens need to know the realities of many things. Not in an "in your face" type manner...but in a straightforward, reality check/know your rights type way. For instance, a couple of weeks ago I was subpeoned to court from a 2 year old auto accident in which the driver that rear ended me was arrested for DUI. SO...in conversation with a police officer while waiting, I learned that for most teens that are pulled over for driving under the influence of alcohol, the police will let them go with a warning...unless the teen is 17. Then, the police will arrest the teen and wait to file the case until the teen turns 18. In this manner, the teen's driving record won't be expunged as s/he is 18 and any future DUI issues will be added on vs being first offenses. So, without any judgement on the matter, I shared it with my two teen children - 16 and 18. They didn't know that and I have overhead them informing their friends. A lot of times, teens and adults make decisions without having much information to base it on. That's when we all get into trouble and end up being a lot more emotionally driven than solutions focused. Just my thoughts! : D
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