The
article “Impulsive Behavior,” written by Jay Zirpoli, attempts to identify the
behavior of “impulsive” children. In the article, Zirpoli tries to explore what
causes children to act impulsively, and what happens psychologically to such
children. The article states that there are four reasons that usually associate
with causing children to behave impulsively. They are: urgency, the lack of
premeditation, the lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking. The article
also states that it has been found that boys are more inclined to act impulsively
than girls of the same age because of early biological and physiological growth
in girls. It is suggested, by experts referred to in the article, for all
parents to consult counselors to make sure that their children do not act
impulsively or make rash decisions.
The
article is clearly meant to appeal to conservative adults in the 21st
century who feel that the children of today are becoming overly independent at
a very young age. The article almost urges such adults to exert some sort of
power over their children to make them realize their “place” in the family. The
article consistently works portray risk-taking in a negative light. It makes risk-taking
seem like something done by immature, mindless children who might possibly have
mental disadvantages. The article consistently brings in examples of negative
risk-taking, and how harmful impulsive behavior can be without conceding to the
other argument, the positive side of risk-taking behavior. Although, despite
the fact that the lack of a concession would make Zirpoli’s argument weaker to
those educated in the art of rhetoric, the absence of the positive sides of
risk-taking in this argument helps strengthen the beliefs of the conservative, narrow-minded
parents this article is meant to manipulate.
Furthermore,
the author of this argument clearly has some misconceptions and facts from
non-credible sources which he bases his argument on. The author of this article
truly believes that risk-taking and impulsive behavior in children is a sign of
mental degradation in children, and that all children that seem to be
risk-takers need the assistance of professional help. In simple terms, the
author of this article believes that risk-taking behavior in children is a
result of a deficiency in self-control and an overpowering urge to seek “pleasure”
in the children, a state of mind caused by psychological problems in the
children which can only be assessed and cured by going to a shrink. Not only is
this false, but it is outrageous that despite all the modern research and
progress accomplished and published in trying to understand the science behind adolescent
risk-taking, the author would write and publish an article with such primitive
beliefs without any attempt to provide proof of where his argument is coming
from other than occasionally referring to, possibly fictitious, experts.
Although
this may be a very good argument to manipulate the minds and views of people
looking for such an argument, in this case the views and minds of
overly-conservative parents who seem to want reason to exert some sort of
control over their children by stopping them from taking risks, it is a weak
argument in the eyes of more open-minded, educated people who would
effortlessly notice the holes in most of the arguments being made by the author.
In conclusion, I completely disagree with the information and views portrayed
through the article in regards to the reasons and effects of adolescent
risk-taking. If it was the author’s motive and goal to manipulate the minds of
a larger group of people to concede his point of view, other than people who
already think on the same level as him, then, I am sad to say, he has failed
miserably.
610 words.
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