THE PROBLEM WITH YOUNG BRAINS
Tattoos.
There was a story this week about Millennials warning Gen-Zs about tattoos. Apparently Millennials are finding out that, as they age, they REGRET the tattoos they got when they were younger. They do not want the next generations to fall into the same trap.
The problem is that young brains don’t think like adult brains. The adult no longer cares for whales, or astrology, or Chinese symbols that their younger brains loved. But they are STUCK WITH the foolishness that their younger selves did. Ink is almost permanent. I met a woman with a mustache tattoo she got in Jamaica after a spring break night of rum. I think she regretted that every morning.
A teen friend of our girls often joked about tattoos. She said that when people get old there will be attempts to “figure out” what the tattoo (now stretched and fattened) once was. “Guess what this used to be.”
Marriage.
Then there was another story in the news about first divorces. The story quoted statistics that show that those who marry for the first time at 20 are nearly twice as likely to divorce as those who married for the first time at 27. One researcher said, “Something happens to your brain when you near 25.” She was referring to a shift in the location in the brain where decisions are made. When asked, 45% of those who divorced cited “married too young” as one of the reasons.
Sex-Change Surgeries and Programs.
More and more reports are coming out about young adults who made major decisions about sexuality as young teens and were allowed to seek surgeries and treatments. Certainly not all regret they committed to something permanent. Yet a higher than anticipated percentage now claim it was the exact wrong solution to their teenage problems. Many who show up on the “I regret it” side have similar stories. They now believe they needed psychological counseling to deal with underlying mental issues. Instead, they received surgery or puberty-blocking drugs. Their adult brain is warning other teens to slow down and get the right kinds of help.
Let’s be honest. The problem is that biology is not on their side if they wait. While that is true, it is also true that no one actually changes their biological sex, they merely permanently mutilate and restrict the natural results. That was recently admitted to by a professional who performs these procedures. The result is a human who is not functionally similar to either sex. Physically, a male becomes more like a eunuch than a female. A female becomes more androgynous, but is not a virile male. I’m not sure how that benefits them. I think that is why so many regret that decision, it fails to live up to their hopes. The cat can now bark, but dogs still don’t like the cat. How did that help the cat?
Strangely.
Colorado recently put in place a law which restricts the rights of those under 21. Is it for using weed? No. It is a voting restriction? No. It is for the ability to purchase a firearm. Colorado has no problem allowing a 19 year old to become a police officer who daily wears a weapon, but everyone else has to wait. Furthermore, they also have no problem allowing a 14 year old to hunt with a rifle. What could possibly be their reasoning? Well, strangely, it is that young minds don’t have the ability to handle guns safely.
What Will You Be When You Grow Up?
Well! That is an excellent question. Teens and pre-teens rarely have a correct answer. Some say they want to be a fireman, but when it is time to go to college they are suddenly interested more in science or accounting. So, should we insist that their younger brain make the permanent decision…or should we counsel them to explore several areas that might interest them.
When I was a High School freshman we were told to take a jobs survey which focused on our interests. The survey asked 50 questions about “I like this better than that…” The survey told me that I would do well going into Mortuary Science. WHAT??? I’m sure I would have done well in that field. I know people who have done it and they enjoy their work. I would have done well, but I would have hated my nightmares. I tend to dream about what I do.
In the end I worked at something much better suited to my personality. I’m glad I did not follow my young brain on that.
America Is Confused.
We do not seem to have a consensus on what makes one an adult. For health insurance it is up to 27. For right to vote, serving in the military, signing a contract it is 18. For buying alcohol it can be 18 to 21 (depending on the state). Marriage without a parent’s consent it is 15 – 18 (depending on state). Medical decisions without a parent’s consent, in certain cases as young as 11 (that jurisdiction does not permit marriage w/o consent until age 16…but they cannot buy alcohol to celebrate until 21). And purchasing firearms it is 18 – 21. Why the confusion? Politics.
What is an adult? In my incredibly valid opinion, being an adult is not an age. It is the ability to think independently and make wise choices. I have met less than a handful of 11 year olds (or even 15 year olds) who fit that category. I have met scores of 27 year olds who still don’t fit that category. Nevertheless we should CHOOSE one age for everything adult and live with it. Pay your student loans, buy beer, make medical decisions, and/or buy a rifle … you are 21.
The Point.
Decisions made by young brains are more likely to bring regret than those made by mature brains. We should not encourage youth to get tattoos, get married, agree to sex change surgery, have children, or anything else which is difficult to erase.
Think about it: The average American family MOVES every 7 years. That house, as permanent as it feels is not your forever home. Further, you may end up living in Japan or Belize.
That car that you can’t wait to own will probably be in your name for less than 9 years. It feels so right and special when you get it. My wife and I have owned over 12 vehicles. A T-bird with suicide doors, an Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Nissan, VW, … Ford, Mercury, Buick… a couple vans, and now a Hyundai (whatever that is). My favorite was a Datsun 210 “beater.”
I still have shirts I wore when my kids were born (the youngest is in her 20’s), but they won’t last forever.
Yet sex change, children, and tattoos cannot be reversed. We should not allow our kids to make such permanent decisions with young brains. Evidence shows their adult versions will REGRET those decisions.
Copyright 2023 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms, as I do, and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere. ~ Sherry]
MORE OF DON’S GREAT GUEST POSTS:
~ Why We Miss ~ Helpful Pests ~ Giving Up Your Seat ~ Obedience ~ Good Mental Habits ~ Winning The Lottery ~
~ Why Sarcasm Does Not Translate ~ OOPS! That’s How I Write ~ The RE-COLONIZATION of America, pt. II ~
~ Laws The U.S. Should Enact ~ The Re-Colonization Of America, pt. I ~ How To Retire On Less ~ State Song ~
~ The “Holier Than Thou” Attitude of “The Boy Who Cried ‘Wolf’” ~ THE TRUTH ~ H.A.L.T ~ Where’s The Clamor? ~
~ Parents Who Lie ~ Odd Places ~ Internet Is Fragile ~ Shopping ~ Student Loans ~ A Government ~
~ Going To Church ~ Anheuser-Busch ~ Hans Van Doorn ~ he Wrong Problem ~ Talking About Money ~ Trustworthy ~
~ A Life More Beautiful ~ TECH with ATTITUDE! ~ Black Drink ~ Public Schools III ~ Public Schools II ~ Public Schools I ~
~ 5-Star Reviews ~ Fractions Matter! ~ Small Spoons ~ Dumpster ~ Weird Forgiveness III ~ Weird Forgiveness II ~
~ Weird Forgiveness I ~ Classified Documents ~ Future You Needs A Friend ~ Feeling Understood ~
~ Starting The New Year Right ~ Awe! Aah! Ooh! ~ Christmas As A Poor (Rich) Child ~ Bigger Problems ~ Blessing ~
~ Climate Change – 2 ~ Medical Science Too Far? ~ Gravity and Light ~ Travel Fun ~
~ Fascinating People: Gloria Hartman Doughty ~ Sadly Magic Words ~ Mulberries ~ Climate Change? ~
~ SPURIOUS UBIQUITOUS NOISE ~ TEW ~ Credit Card Debt ~ Insect Oddities ~ DATA ~
~ Cities Got Name? ~ The Bible Does Not Say That! ~ Too Old?? ~ Be My Guest ~
~ IN-CRE-MEN-TAL-ISM ~ Bad Friends & Broken Tools ~ Pools Are For The Birds?? ~
~ Animals Hindering Your Financial Freedom ~ The Chicken ~ Finding The Exit ~ Allegheny Blackberries ~
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~ Doing Faith Wrong ~ Quirky! ~ Ten-Foot Trestle ~ Settling Estates ~ Living In High Horse Country ~ The Dying Generation ~
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