Championing young male voices
- August 14, 2024
Celbridge Boys Club do our best to organise and collaborate with other men’s groups to take on and conquer some of Ireland’s best and hardest hiking trails
The neurological development discrepancy
The difference between male and female teenage brains is frequently commented on; they develop at different rates and at different times. In fact, this happens from day one of birth and continues well into the teenage years. “By the time kids are entering about grade seven, we think that there’s about a twelve to 18-month discrepancy in terms of neurological maturity between a male brain and a female brain. The girls are that much more in front,” says Dr. Coulson. This gap means that boys may exhibit behaviours that seem immature compared to their female peers, even though their intellectual capacities are the same.
What can we do? When we understand this discrepancy, it helps us be more patient and supportive. We’re not saying teenage boys are less capable; rather, their brains are simply developing at a different pace.
Impulsivity and sensation-seeking
A significant aspect of the teenage male brain is its heightened impulsivity and attraction to sensation-seeking behaviours. Dr. Coulson explains, “Teenage boys are significantly less likely than teenage girls to inhibit. Their impulsivity levels are much higher.” This tendency peaks around the age of 12 to 13 and coincides with a spike in testosterone levels. As a result, boys are more likely to engage in risky behaviours without fully considering the consequences.
“They see only upside, and that’s why they go at it. That’s why they jump off buildings. That’s why they drive fast in a car. That’s why they drink a large amount of alcohol really quickly. That’s why they’ll do dumb things,” Dr. Coulson notes. The promise of social status and cultural cachet, coupled with the increased activity in the brain’s reward centres, often outweighs any potential risks in their minds.
What can we do? To soften these behaviours, it’s essential to provide boys with safer outlets for their energy and desire for excitement. Encouraging participation in sports, creative projects, or other structured activities can help channel their impulsivity in positive directions.
Impulsivity and sensation-seeking
A significant aspect of the teenage male brain is its heightened impulsivity and attraction to sensation-seeking behaviours. Dr. Coulson explains, “Teenage boys are significantly less likely than teenage girls to inhibit. Their impulsivity levels are much higher.” This tendency peaks around the age of 12 to 13 and coincides with a spike in testosterone levels. As a result, boys are more likely to engage in risky behaviours without fully considering the consequences.
“They see only upside, and that’s why they go at it. That’s why they jump off buildings. That’s why they drive fast in a car. That’s why they drink a large amount of alcohol really quickly. That’s why they’ll do dumb things,” Dr. Coulson notes. The promise of social status and cultural cachet, coupled with the increased activity in the brain’s reward centres, often outweighs any potential risks in their minds.
What can we do? To soften these behaviours, it’s essential to provide boys with safer outlets for their energy and desire for excitement. Encouraging participation in sports, creative projects, or other structured activities can help channel their impulsivity in positive directions.
Impulsivity and sensation-seeking
A significant aspect of the teenage male brain is its heightened impulsivity and attraction to sensation-seeking behaviours. Dr. Coulson explains, “Teenage boys are significantly less likely than teenage girls to inhibit. Their impulsivity levels are much higher.” This tendency peaks around the age of 12 to 13 and coincides with a spike in testosterone levels. As a result, boys are more likely to engage in risky behaviours without fully considering the consequences.
“They see only upside, and that’s why they go at it. That’s why they jump off buildings. That’s why they drive fast in a car. That’s why they drink a large amount of alcohol really quickly. That’s why they’ll do dumb things,” Dr. Coulson notes. The promise of social status and cultural cachet, coupled with the increased activity in the brain’s reward centres, often outweighs any potential risks in their minds.
What can we do? To soften these behaviours, it’s essential to provide boys with safer outlets for their energy and desire for excitement. Encouraging participation in sports, creative projects, or other structured activities can help channel their impulsivity in positive directions.