38 .
Should adolescents be able to make important medical decisions without their parents’ involvement? Why or why not? Cite material from the chapter to support your reasoning.
39 .
Discuss the various factors that influence the timing of puberty. How do biological, environmental, and sociocultural factors interact to affect when puberty begins? What are some potential psychological and social consequences of early or late puberty?
40 .
Evaluate the impact of comprehensive sex education on adolescent sexual behavior and health outcomes. How does comprehensive sex education compare to abstinence-only education in terms of effectiveness? Support your answer with evidence from research studies.
41 .
Reflect on how your cognitive abilities evolved during adolescence, specifically in terms of your ability to think abstractly and reason logically. Provide examples from your teenage years where you engaged in hypothetical reasoning or complex problem-solving. How did your environment, such as your family, school, or culture, influence your cognitive development during this time?
42 .
As a school counselor, you have received concerns from a parent about their 15-year-old son, Ricky, who is engaging in risk-taking behavior, such as performing dangerous stunts on his skateboard, especially when other teens are watching and recording his actions. The parent wants to know if this behavior is “normal” for his age or if they should be concerned. Write a response that explains the typical brain development during adolescence and how it influences risk-taking behavior. Provide guidance on how the parent can approach this situation.