Brain doesn't mature until 20s, experts say

http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/mar/30/brain-doesnt-mature-until-20s-experts...

 

Summary

 

This short article was about how the frontal cortex of the brain does not actually mature until around age 20.  Just as we were learning about in class, many car rental companies are fully aware of this fact and that is why they do not allow people to rent a car until the age of 24.  There are studies that prove that damages occurring to the brain before it is fully developed can seriously effect the development of the brain.  For example, when drugs and alcohol are consumed before the brain is fully developed, there is more of a chance for habit and damage to occur.  If a habit is picked up before the brain is developed, it is more likely to continue through adulthood, than if that habit was acquired as an adult.  This is because the brain is developing while the habit is something normal causing that habit to stick with the person.  

 

Personal Response

 

After reading this article, I really understand why it is important that the drinking age is 21.  If people are drinking and doing drugs before this age, their brain is definitely not fully developed and that is the reason that many people who drink before they are 21 develop a habit.  I also understand why the driving age in Europe is much higher than the driving age in the US.  Teenagers driving at 16 seems extremely strange after reading the facts about brain development because the brain of a 16 year old is not developed enough to be able to learn how to drive.  There is strong evidence that should suggest that the driving age should be raised and the drinking age should stay at the age it is at, despite what many people would want. 

 

Connections

 

This does not connect to the field of education as much as it connects to teenage life.  As I described above, teenagers should not be drinking and driving as young as they have been today.  However, the connection to education that I can find, is that teenage and children's brain are developing most when they are in secondary schooling.  This is the age where there is the most impact and teachers can make the most impact on a students life.  For example, a teacher can instill certain moral values at this age that can stick with the student for the rest of their life.  

 

Personal Response

 

As I explained in my connection to education, there are many reasons that teachers should be aware of these facts.  They have the opportunity to greatly impact the lives of their students at this age and teach them what they should and shouldn't be doing.  When students are in high school their brain is at the stage when it is developing the most important things and developing certain habits that can easily last them through adulthood.  This is the opportunity for teachers to teach their students what they should and should not do for the rest of their lives.