Year 8 boys are approaching the age where they are more likely to make poor decisions (see “What was he thinking?” here).
In Year 8 we often talk about making decisions in “hot situations” and “cold situations”.
Hot situations occur when the boys are excited, or tired, or anxious, or emotional, or with a group of mates (either in real life or online), or trying to impress peers, or trying to impress a girl, etc. Boys are more likely to take risks or engage in risk-taking or sensation-seeking behaviours in hot situations.
Cold situations are when they are in a state of low emotional arousal, calm, not stressed, often without a group of peers to impress. They are much more likely to make a rational and considered decision in a cold situation.
This is why boys might be able to talk rationally about the dangers of drinking alcohol in a classroom, but then might engage in that behaviour with a group of mates.
We ask the boys to be aware of the type of decision making situation they are in – hot or cold. If they are in a hot situation then they need to take extra care by:
- taking extra time to think about consequences: wait 30 seconds and think again before acting
- remove themselves from hot situations to allow them to think: make a phone call, go to the bathroom, text a mate
- think about how they would feel telling their parents or grandparents (or even Boarding Coordinator!) about what they are about to do. If they would be uncomfortable telling them about it, then they probably need to think again
- ask for help or advice from a parent, teacher, or sibling
- if they do make a poor decision, learn from it
More information:
https://theconversation.com/a-parents-guide-to-why-teens-make-bad-decisions-88246