What Makes a Teenage Boy Unable to Make Decisions?

Brain Development

• A teenage boy's brain isn't fully developed, so his problem-solving and decision-making abilities are limited. The part of the brain that controls instinctive reactions, such as fear and aggression, develops more quickly than the prefrontal cortex, which controls reasoning and decision-making capabilities, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. As a result, a teen boy is likely to have trouble making decisions that require in-depth reasoning and is more likely to respond impulsively. The prefrontal cortex doesn't fully develop until adulthood. Jay Giedd, a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Mental Health, reports that boys' brains also mature later than girls' brains, according to the "Frontline" series at pbs.org.

Lack of Self-Confidence

• Self-confidence plays a big role in a teen boy's ability to make decisions. When a teenager has a positive view of himself, it improves the odds that he will make good decisions, according to a piece by the Department of Health and Human Services, reprinted with permission on the Education.com website. Parents can help their teenager develop decision-making skills by asking for his opinion about age-appropriate issues. Don't let him respond passively, and encourage him to think through options and make choices. When he makes good decisions, compliment his ability to analyze and assess situations. You can also encourage your teen to think independently of his peers, increasing the chances that he will make decisions for himself, rather than relying on peer approval.

Fear of Failure

• Some teen boys refuse to make decisions because they don't want to risk failure. They don't want to disappoint their parents, frustrate their peers or make mistakes that have undesirable consequences. Teen boys want to appear capable and in control, so many would rather be perceived as apathetic than incompetent. You can help your teen work through these issues by giving him room to make mistakes, without punishing or penalizing him for poor judgment. Use mistakes as stepping stones that help your son learn to make better choices in the future. You can help your teenager learn not to make the same mistake twice.

Sleep Deprivation

• Sleep deprivation can negatively affect a teen boy's ability to make decisions. According to Robin Nixon, a staff writer with the Live Science website, who has a degree in neurobiology and behavior, teenagers need a minimum of nine to 10 hours of sleep every night, buy many fall short. Sleep shortages can lead to cognitive impairment and poor decision-making skills. Teen boys often stick to familiar routines and situations that don't require problem-solving skills when they are sleep deprived. Parents can help their teen by setting curfews, encouraging appropriate weekday and weekend bedtimes and establishing rules that limit late-night texting, Internet usage and TV.

Desire to Take Risks

• Some teen boys have trouble making decisions because impulses take over and natural biological reactions occur, forcing them to engage in risky behavior. Many parents don't realize why teen boys are prone to take risks and assume it's just part of their quest for adventure. Andrew Fuller, a child psychologist from the University of Melboure, says that teen boys are more prone to make risky decisions during puberty because the brain chemical dopamine declines in potency, according to the School A to Z website. Teen boys might become lethargic and take risks because, without knowing it, they are craving a lift in dopamine.