Why do so many teenagers mess up?

Question

I can't understand why so many teenagers mess up so much and do stuff that can jeopardize or even have serious consequences on their lives. A kid from 13 to 16 years old is perfectly able to weight the consequences of his actions, they know, for example, that drugs and alcohol can ruin their lives, they know that sex can lead to pregnancy. Why do many of them insist n having bad attitudes, on breaking rules that clearly have a reason to exist?
Why is that? Bad parenting? But even with bad parenting a teen can have values and understand the consequences of his/her actions.

Answer 1

i really believe, that teens dont really think before they act. i'll be 20 in may, so i'm not that far away from the age group you're talking about. i remember (quite vividly) being 13-17...those were the ages that i did the dumbest things i think i've ever done (and wil ever do) in my entire existence. things like having unprotected sex, and following along with someone elses actions just because they tell you that nothing can happen. but i dont think that its always a result of bad parenting. i know a few friends who really had awesome parents, but the are the ones that have been in the most trouble. and, on the other hand friends who i think had some of the worst parents in the world, but they do really well for themselves now. and i'm talking about these people looking back on what i remember. not how i viewed them when i was a young teen.

really, it comes down to free will. we cant be forced into obedience, and therefore, we make some pretty stupid decisions. and when you make bad decisions there have to be consequences. it doesnt make us bad (per say) ...just human.

i am not by any means justifying unwise decisions or irresponsible behavior, i'm just saying that sometimes people just make bad judgements, and end up getting themselves into a lot of trouble.

Answer 2

Well I am 18 years old and I know what it is like to be a teen. The overall answer is teen peer pressure. I know it may sound crazy but every teen wants to have that belonging feeling. I also know that it is true that every teen has a mind of their and should be able to make decisions of their own. When it comes down to it, a teen will sometimes do it just to fit in the crowd. It can also come from bad parenting. A parent is the first person a child sees when they are born. They mimick everything they see them do, If a child doesnt have that attachment with the parents they will most likely stray away and do things their own way.

Answer 3

I think it is more about rebellion. I was pretty retarded from... I would say 15-17. They know sex can lead to pregnancy, but most people count on the condom as being foulproof. They know alcohol can lead to issues if consumed in mass quantity, but they do it anyways for who knows why.
I think the bad attitude and rule breaking is all part of the rebellion against the parents when they want to be themselves and have their own life.

I can't say it is bad parenting though. My parents raised me really well. I was an honour student in high school and am currently an honours education student at university. I live on my own, support myself, have a job and still do well in school. On the other hand, when I was a teen, I had sex, tried weed more than once, drank myself into oblivion more than once and started secretely smoking at 16 (just quit in sept. and they never really found out).

I think it is more than just understanding the concequences of your actions and it is more that a teenager isn't thinking straight and hasn't learned to control their impulses yet.

Answer 4

Not all teens are messed up. Maybe 1/6 of teens are. I know a bunch of people that have never been kissed, had sex, made out. But I do know some people that's given hand jobs, and made out topless. I don't think in the future 5 year olds are going to start having sex. Actually there were more teen pregnancies in the 90's then the 00's. So we are getting somewhat better. One time one of my friend were like I was making out with this guy topless that's nothing big. While she said that she had her sweatshirt open and her bra was sticking out. I was like seriously I've never had my first kiss, and I'm only 14.

Answer 5

alot of them have no common sense and do not care at all what they do. They think it is so dandy to have a baby at age 13-14 and so on. They say peer pressure but that is a lie. I did not do what people asked me when i was a teenager. I am 27 and have never drunk any alcohol.
Then alot of parents do not care about where their kids are and alot thinks their kids are angels and wouldn't do anything like that.

Answer 6

I believe it is bc teens have such a passion and zeal for life whether it be good or bad. Some can be drama queens and be deeply depressed some become star athletes some jus like the thrill of dating or breaking rules. But they have a lot of life and energy sometimes jus need help channeling it.

Answer 7

I read an article just a few weeks ago about this. It said that teenagers actually tend to think through the risks of their behaviour, but they feel the "reward" of how they look in front of their friends is more important.

Basically they see the risks as minimal - "it won't happen to me" - but the rewards high.

Answer 8

I think it can be parenting. It can be environment. It can be the friends they have. What they witnessed so far in their lives. Mostly I think it's the feeling most teens have of "I'm untouchable." Nothing will hurt me, nothing will affect me, I can do it all. They feel they won't get caught, it won't happen to them. Yes they know the difference, they just feel they can get around the system so to speak.

Answer 9

EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES...they don't just have to be teenagers...it is more probable for teens to make mistakes and mess up more often because they are less mature and haven't learned from prior mistakes because they are still young. Older people made tons of mistakes when they were younger and learned from them, it is just a process and a circle of life. HAKUNA MATATA! good luck.

Answer 10

i was that way. i dont regret it at all. i think kids rebel when parents are too strict at some age because it runs in our blood. im happy my mom let me go out and do what i wanted...i still got in trouble when she found out i smoked weed, drank, snuck out, and all that, but im happy i did it when i was 14-16. now that im in college, i see all these kids finally going through that stage. they have already gotten kicked out of college, girls are pregnant, and now their future really is ruined. be thankful if ur kid goes through that crazy stage in highschool....u still have a chance to make it better then.