Psychology - Teen Driving - Essay Example

However, as expected, there are a lot of reactions that are against the imposition of policy change and rather account safety teenage driving to responsible parenting. In the midst of such arguments, is there really a need to impose stricter rules towards teenage drivers or would the responsibility rather fall more on the parents? Feeling the strain and burden of having a teenage son locked up for the death of his three friends as an effect of an accident in 2006 when Sean Larimer went out with his friends, driving while under the influence of alcohol, Susan Larimer is now giving her pleas to lawmakers to reconsider making teenage licensing lengthier and more safety conscious (Henderson, 2006).

She thinks the laws regarding teenage drivers are quite lenient and should be reconsidered and made tougher. From an expert’s point of view, it is mentioned that adolescents do not mature until age 25 (Henderson, 2006). Craig and Dunn (2010) in addition, consider adolescence as a transitional period where a lot of changes and developments are processed (p. 255). Considering the biological make-up that would have an effect on the problem, it is indeed wise for lawmakers to give serious thoughts about giving adolescents full responsibility about their driving.

Studies show that during adolescence, there is an increase of hormone production which in turn has powerful effects on brain development, affecting moods and emotional outbursts (Craig & Dunn, 2010, p. 259). Furthermore, the aforementioned authors characterize adolescence as a period of instability, uncertainty and challenge. Understanding the physical changes that happen during this crucial stage would make people realize that burdening an individual with more responsibilities than they can handle would be a danger.

Parents may react to such a policy change and find it ridiculous that they are not allowed to give their children the full freedom they think they deserve but it should also be considered that on a general perspective, no matter how trust-worthy, responsible, educated and careful a teenager is, there are factors that they are not voluntarily in control of. These factors would be the biological changes that affect one’s emotions and decision-making. It is indeed true that teaching teenagers to be responsible drivers, talking to them in a mature manner and becoming examples that they may emulate; are all important to mold responsible teenage drivers (Park, 2009) but there is also the fact to be considered: that not all parents give much time in educating their children and not all children learn at the same rate.

These differences should be largely considered and policy-making should cover a wider scope of age range to make sure a more matured attitude is reached when full responsibility is allowed. In addition to the biological aspect, the cognitive aspect of teenagers should also be considered. As mentioned earlier, adolescents undergo a lot of biological changes which affect their emotions. Moreover, there is also a serious pruning away of neural tissues (Craig & Dunn, 2010, p. 269) affecting coordinated thoughts, judgment and the risky thrill-seeking attitude of teenagers (p. 270). Oftentimes, parents think that guidance is enough to keep children away from trouble but a lot of good parents have proven this to be a commonly mistaken perception.

People mature at different rates and at different