Youth Recklessness

Human beings possess the desire to challenge themselves. This allows them to identify their capabilities and limits, mental and physical, through situations that place them at the mercy of powerful external forces. Some individuals are reluctant to accept this call to adventure and believe their lives are fulfilled without climbing mountains, scaling sheer cliffs, or exploring the depths of the sea, but others swear by the personal awakenings they have experienced through "adventure enrichment." Many people as well as specialists criticize the risk-taker's lifestyle. Pessimism and yearning for death are exaggerated censure of a belief that pushing oneself through high-risk, outdoor sports can cause one to discover qualities not used in everyday life. Getting young people to think about safety and the consequences of reckless behaviour can be a difficult, and thankless, task. Many youngsters in the 16-25 age group seem to think they are somehow immortal; that accidents and injuries will only ever happen to 'other people'; or that whatever they do it will not harm them. Sadly, but young people in this age category are the most likely to be involved in serious accidents.