Summary and Response to "What's Wrong with the Teenage Mind?"

In the article “What’s Wrong with the Teenage Mind?” By Alison Gopnik clearly illustrates that teenagers are hitting puberty earlier and adulthood later because of the developmental timing of the neural and psychological systems that interact to turn children into adults. Alison writes that kids make bad decisions like drinking and driving, not following rules, and not paying attention at school because they overestimate rewards and underestimate risks. Kids tend to take more risks when they are with their friends instead of other people. When with their friends they want attention and to be popular among his friends. Now days because of all the safety rules it is hard for kids to underestimate risks. Alison wants to inform us that teenagers are acting weirder because they are hitting puberty earlier.

Alison Gopnik's “What’s Wrong with the Teenage Mind?” is definitely incorrect because even though teenagers are hitting puberty earlier and adulthood later they are not being helped enough by their parents and other adults. Kids in the past had internships when they were younger so their skills would be reinforced. Now days when students try for an internship they are being denied and aren’t able to reinforce the skills they need. When kids were learning the skills they needed when they were younger were helped when they made mistakes and learned from their mistakes. Kids now when they make mistakes the consequences for them are worse because they are older. It is not good for kids to rely on the parents for so long because they don’t learn to be as responsible until later on when it will affect their futures. Parents help them with their homework and help remind them of things they forget. Without their parents they will be forced to learn these skills and reinforce them when the consequences for it aren't as bad. If kids would learn these skills sooner than they will be more prepared for puberty and adulthood where they want their friends respect or to be successful.