Recently the mass shootings at Parkland school in Florida (1), has resulted in not only protests, but advocacy for action to prevent future mass shootings. The specific action they demand is more gun control including banning AR-15 rifles. (2). Whether one thinks this is good policy to prevent mass shooting or not, there is a much larger set of issues. The first is the maturity of judgement of the teenagers involved. The second is use of teenagers by those with a political agenda to advance that agenda.
Do teenagers have the maturity of judgement to weigh in on such a complex and controversial as gun control? Having very intelligent teens as grandkids, I approach this subject with some trepidation. There is no question that certain teens have made a major impact on society at large. One example is Barbara Johns whose protest led eventually to Brown vs Board of Education. This action ended legal segregation in schools in the U. S. Isolated cases of major impact is not really the issue. The question is whether, in general, teens have the reasoning and maturity to judge complex issues having major impact on society.
There are two sources one can investigate to answer this first question: 1) Research on teen development and 2) Biblical sources. There is an abundance of research on the development of the teen brain. This research points to two conclusions. Teens operate more on emotion than on reasoning though no fault of their own. Rather their reasoning ability does not mature until early adulthood. Here is a quotation of an article that summarizes these facts (4).
"Many parents do not understand why their teenagers occasionally behave in an impulsive, irrational, or dangerous way. At times, it seems like teens don't think things through or fully consider the consequences of their actions. Adolescents differ from adults in the way they behave, solve problems, and make decisions. There is a biological explanation for this difference. Studies have shown that brains continue to mature and develop throughout childhood and adolescence and well into early adulthood.
Scientists have identified a specific region of the brain called the amygdala that is responsible for immediate reactions including fear and aggressive behavior. This region develops early. However, the frontal cortex, the area of the brain that controls reasoning and helps us think before we act, develops later. This part of the brain is still changing and maturing well into adulthood.
Other changes in the brain during adolescence include a rapid increase in the connections between the brain cells and making the brain pathways more effective. Nerve cells develop myelin, an insulating layer that helps cells communicate. All these changes are essential for the development of coordinated thought, action, and behavior."
The second question to ask is whether there is any biblical guidance on this issue. The bible doesn't address all issues directly so there their may or may not be. There are however scriptures that indicate that youths may not have the judgement that mature adults do.
Eph 4:14 "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. "
I Cor. 13:11 "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. "
Proverbs 23:22 "Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. "
These and other scriptures indicate those who are young may not have the reasoning power of mature adults ( I know most teens would object to being called children). We also have the scriptural admonition for the older men and women are to teach the younger men and women. The import is youth does not always have the knowledge, maturity or reasoning power of mature adults.
The second major issue is how political activists use teens as political pawns. Teens may deny this, but young people are used as "pawns" all of the time in high stakes situations. For example, in divorce proceedings they are frequently one of the chief chess pieces. (7). Whole books have been written on children as pawns in education. (8). Is it any wonder then that this particular issue is being exploited by political activists for gun control. Unfortunately the emotional passion of youth and their enthusiasm are easily commandeered. This problem says nothing about their sincerity or their passion. What it should do is generate a large element of caution when the real emotion about mass shootings becomes attached to a particular political position.
What does all of the above have to say to my grandkids. There are several lessons. The first is to temper your emotional or "gut" response to any event. Think slowly and carefully about any reaction. If it is something of major import, then "bounce" your reasoning off of your parents or someone you trust. The second is to be very hesitant to join any advocacy, protest, or other activity that has a political element. Proper research is necessary. Who is behind any such movement? What are their real goals? Why is youth being enlisted? Does what is advocated solve the real problem? Is what is being advocated biblical? Finally, the advice given to Timothy is also true: "Let no one dismise thy youth." You may in fact be another Barbara Johns
(1) https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/02/14/injuries-reported-after-shooting-florida-high-school/338217002
(2) https://www.reuters.com/article/us-florida-shooting-students/students-plan-protests-washington-march-to-demand-gun-control-after-mass-shooting-idUSKCN1G20S8
(3) http://www.proyouthpages.com/youthhistorymo.html
(4) https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Teen-Brain-Behavior-Problem-Solving-and-Decision-Making-095.aspx
(5) https://brainconnection.brainhq.com/2013/03/20/decision-making-is-still-a-work-in-progress-for-teenagers/
(6)https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051
(7)http://www.drmarlo.com/?page_id=125
(8)https://www.amazon.com/Children-Pawns-Politics-Educational-Reform/dp/0674012496
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