This is an article about a friend of a friend up at Hartford University. I had heard lots of funny stories about him from one of my high school friends who had become very close to him at school. My friend described him to me as very funny, nice, and extremely intelligent. After watching Stand By Me, I was somehow reminded of this article (possibly through River Pheonix's character?). I've just been wondering what may drive certain teens to behave in such an extreme way, even when they appear to be well adjusted and intelligent. If anything, this post is just to share this story with you. Hopefully we can start some constructive conversation.
Here's the article:
http://www.wmur.com/r/26088851/detail.html
I think there are many factors at play here, especially when you look at Tim's personality traits. First of all, he is going to college for the first time. This is a huge change in dynamics for teenagers because they are going from parental supervision to almost complete independence. This could definitely account for the misguidance in Tim's action.
ReplyDeleteAnother factor may be boredom. Tim is described as intelligent which is occasionally a way to say 'bored easily'. In lower grades intelligence is one of the main reasons that students become bored in the classroom and act out. Intelligence could work against Tim in another way, too. It could be the case where his peers are playing a big role in his decision to break the law. He may, perhaps, be pressured by a new group of friends, or he may feel pressured to act out for attention or 'look cool.' I think a lot of our research has attested to these aspects of development. From the group dynamic described by Grace and Thompson to the idea of more freedom causing an adolescent to react without thinking.
Like Nicole, I also think freedom plays a big part in this situation. If I had to guess, I would say Tim would never have done this sort of thing while still living with his parents and going to high school. Being at college gives one an immediate sense of freedom where students can do whatever they want whenever without having to deal with their parents. Honestly, at that hour of the morning I'm sure he was not thinking as clearly which could have probed him to act differently than he normally would. This, along with Nicole's comment about freedom leading to actions without thinking, is just a recipe for disaster. In addition, I believe peer pressure is a factor as well. The students in college who are under 21 still try to consume alcohol because it is the cool thing to do. Tim thought beer was SO important that he resorted to committing a crime just to have it. I also think Tim running from the cops was a flight or fight response that is part of our human nature. I don't believe this was part of his rebellious behavior, but natural instincts kicking in.
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