Over the last five years research has indicated that the brain of an adolescent is not as developed as researchers once thought. In fact, advances in technology have made it possible to further examine the development of the human brain. Researchers have found that part of the frontal lobe, referred to as the pre-frontal cortex that is believed to be the management center for the body, is not fully developed in adolescents (Sowell et al., 2001; Cobb, 1998). The article explains that the lack of development in this part of the brain explains some of the behaviors that are displayed by teenagers because it is responsible for advanced cognition ("Adolescence, Brain Development..,"2004). Advanced cognition permits human beings to prioritize thoughts, visualize, think in the abstract, predict consequences, plan, and manage impulses ("Adolescence, Brain Development..,"2004). With these things being understood the underdevelopment of this part of the brain could explain why teenagers often engage in risky behaviors that may have extremely serious consequences (Lewis, 2002). As it relates to what can be done to modify the behavior of teens, there are several steps that can be taken. An initial step is to let adolescents know that they have support systems. These support systems should be present in the home, at school and in the community. These support systems should offer teenagers the proper guidance as it relates to how to deal with peer pressure and the negative impact of drug and alcohol use. However, it is important to note that even with these support systems in place parents and other adults that interact with teens must be vigilant and get them the help they need if their behaviors being displayed are destructive. Overall, it is inevitable...

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