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1. Decision-making in
children over 15
Will think more
maturely
Learn to be an
independent
individual
More prepared for
future decision-making
Will avoid repeating
the same mistakes
made, in the future
Learn from
mistakes that
they have made
Will be more capable
of handling
responsibilities of
decisons
Affects their
studies and
social life
Underage
drinking
Premarital sex
Health and
mental
problems
Drug abuse
Unplanned
pregnancy
Sexually
Transmitted
Diseases
Examples;
Chlamydia,
Gonorrhea
Abortion
Physiological
issues
Gossips and rumors
from society. Having
regrets.
Affects their
studies
Unprotected
sex
Alcoholism
Sexual
activity
Fatalities
Car accident,
drowning,
suicide, murder
Addiction
Illegal
Social life
problems
Gets criminal
record and affects
social status
Becomes distant
from family, and
judged by society.

2. Effects of Decision-making in Children Over Fifteen
Some of the most common things that children do in their daily lives such as the
food they eat, the clothes they wear, the places they go, their bed time and the other
common things they do, have normally been decided and controlled by their parents. One
of the main reason, is because children are not mature enough yet to make decisions for
themselves. Sooner or later, children will grow into becoming a teenager, more specifically
over the age of fifteen, they start to develop their own identity. Their thoughts and opinions
might oppose to their parents' way of thinking, but parents should just accept that children
mature at a young age and allow them to make decisions. However, there will always be
positive and negative effects in the long and short term of letting children over the age of
fifteen to make decisions for themselves.
In life, we are all bound to make mistakes. Eventually, children too will make
mistakes such as being careless, neglecting studies, not bothering their health, and so on.
Once they realize their wrong doings, they will avoid repeating the same mistakes in the
future. Hence, more prepared in decision-making when reaching adulthood. In addition to
that, decision-making will help a child develop independence. Having independence will
make them think more maturely. An independent individual are also more capable of
handling responsibilities of their decisions whether it was a good or bad decision.
Children over the age of fifteen would eventually experiment on a diversity of new
activities. Woefully, some of these experiments are unhealthy, such as underage drinking.
This activity may affect the underage consumers. One common affect is, alcoholism. Once
the the underage drinkers become addictive to consume alcohol, this will affect their
studies and social life. Hangover, intoxicated, lack of sleep, headache and dizziness are

3. some of the side effects of alcohol. Underage drinkers may also get involved in alcohol
related fatalities. Drunk driving is common, that results in a car accident, suicide, drowning,
and murder are also sometimes triggered by alcohol consumption. In some cases, alcohol
may also cause violence. It is dangerous, especially for girls, to drink alcohol and possibly
get intoxicated as they may be taken advantage by men in terms of sexual activities.
Besides underage drinking, another common unhealthy experiment would be drug abuse.
As we all know, unprescribed drugs are illegal. Once these drug users are caught doing
illegal drugs, they will obtain a criminal record. Having a criminal record might prevent an
individual from getting certain licenses, such as taxi drivers license. Like alcoholism, drug
users can become addictive too. Drugs will cause serious health problems to the users at
any age. For example, serious mental and emotional problems, brain damage, diseases
like HIV and AIDS from sharing needles. Drug users may have social problems such as
becoming distant from friends and family, judged and looked down by society and also
problems at school.
Other than underage drinking and drug abuse, premarital sex is another common
unhealthy experiment done by children over the age of fifteen. When these children
engage in a sexual activity especially unprotected sex, they are at risk of contracting
sexually transmitted diseases. These diseases include, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV, AIDS
and others. Some diseases can be treated easily, but some are not and may be fatal.
Unprotected sex may cause unplanned pregnancy. Some may choose to have an abortion
which will cause an emotional and physical impact on the person, besides affecting their
studies in school. Sexual activity may also involve physiological issues, that results from
gossips and rumors from the society, and possibly having regrets from their risky activity.
Evidently, there are positive and negative effects in the long and short term of

4. allowing children over the age of fifteen to make decisions for themselves. Therefore, it is
wisely recommended for parents to involve themselves in the decision-making of their
child. This is to avoid their child from suffering through the unnecessary consequences of
bad decision-making.
(775 words)

5. References:
1. Hatter, K. (2014). Risks of Sexual Behavior in Teens. Retrieved 20 September
2014, from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/risks-sexual-behavior-teens-5287.html
2. Mayo Clinic Staff (2014). Underage drinking: Talking to your teen about alcohol.
Retrieved 20 September 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/tween-and-
teen-health/in-depth/teen-drinking/art-20047947
3. Casa Palmera Staff (2009). The Effects of Drug Abuse on Teens. Retrieved 20
September 2014, from http://casapalmera.com/the-effects-of-drug-abuse-on-teens/
4. eSchooltoday (2010). The consequences of drug abuse!. Retrieved 20 September
2014, from http://eschooltoday.com/drug-abuse-and-teens/consequences-of-drug-abuse.
html
5. Parents should let teenagers make their own decisions. Retrieved 20 September
2014, from http://debatewise.org/debates/1468-parents-should-let-teenagers-make-their-
own-decisions/
6. Should parents let teens make their own decisions after a certain age?. Retrieved
20 September 2014, from http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-parents-let-teens-make-
their-own-decisions-after-a-certain-age