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Even at 15 years old you’re still a long way away from having a fully developed pre-frontal cortex. We used to think kids were like little adults, then we lear

Even at 15 years old you’re still a long way away from having a fully developed pre-frontal cortex. We used to think kids were like little adults, then we learned a bit about how the brain develops and how wildly wrong that mental model was.

Tade0 3y ago
Looking at the level of independence I and my peers handled at this age vs what is the norm now we might have overdone it.
Aeolun 3y ago
I mean, to some extend, but I don’t necessarily think that working is bad for a 13 year old. If they can work in a supermarket to earn some side income they can work anywhere (under limited guidance).
treflop 3y ago
Isn’t that just the average though? I’ve met plenty of wickedly level-headed 15 year olds and a whole lot of irresponsible 30 year olds. The variation is such to an extreme level too.
- tasuki 3y ago
  This has been my experience too!
inglor_cz 3y ago
When I was 15, my brain was definitely pubescent and far from fully developed. But I was able to make some money by fixing computers or translating stuff from English to Czech anyway. There was no exploitation in those labor relations just because I was young. I am not manually skilled, but I can definitely see someone at 15 making a nice chair or a table instead. I don't think that 15 y.o.s should be treated as fully adult, some limitations on their work are perfectly OK (no ardous work, no work underground etc.). But barring them from working altogether will probably slow their development down. Not everything can be learnt from books or models, some real-world practice, including the most basic elements of interaction with customers/employers, is necessary.
graemep 3y ago
Yes, but the same is true (a bit less so) of an 18 year old and most places allow 18 year olds to work, drive, vote, join the military, enter into binding contracts as adults etc. While teenagers are not fully adult in some ways, they are also very different from a 12 year old.

Tade0 3y ago

Looking at the level of independence I and my peers handled at this age vs what is the norm now we might have overdone it.

Aeolun 3y ago

I mean, to some extend, but I don’t necessarily think that working is bad for a 13 year old. If they can work in a supermarket to earn some side income they can work anywhere (under limited guidance).

treflop 3y ago

Isn’t that just the average though? I’ve met plenty of wickedly level-headed 15 year olds and a whole lot of irresponsible 30 year olds. The variation is such to an extreme level too.

tasuki 3y ago
This has been my experience too!

inglor_cz 3y ago

When I was 15, my brain was definitely pubescent and far from fully developed. But I was able to make some money by fixing computers or translating stuff from English to Czech anyway. There was no exploitation in those labor relations just because I was young. I am not manually skilled, but I can definitely see someone at 15 making a nice chair or a table instead. I don't think that 15 y.o.s should be treated as fully adult, some limitations on their work are perfectly OK (no ardous work, no work underground etc.). But barring them from working altogether will probably slow their development down. Not everything can be learnt from books or models, some real-world practice, including the most basic elements of interaction with customers/employers, is necessary.

graemep 3y ago

Yes, but the same is true (a bit less so) of an 18 year old and most places allow 18 year olds to work, drive, vote, join the military, enter into binding contracts as adults etc. While teenagers are not fully adult in some ways, they are also very different from a 12 year old.