0:00:00.000,0:00:02.955 (Applause) 0:00:05.352,0:00:06.889 Hello, everyone. 0:00:06.913,0:00:09.724 As previously mentioned,[br]I'm Andrew Pendergast, 0:00:09.748,0:00:12.617 as you've probably already guessed. 0:00:12.641,0:00:15.253 Today I'm going to be talking[br]with you about something 0:00:15.277,0:00:18.514 that potentially concerns a large number[br]of you in this room today, 0:00:18.538,0:00:21.578 and from what I've gathered[br]from conversations and observations, 0:00:21.602,0:00:23.467 the remainder of the world: 0:00:24.096,0:00:27.556 Responsibility,[br]particularly in adolescents. 0:00:29.123,0:00:32.347 Alright, we're going to be doing[br]some crowd participation here. 0:00:32.807,0:00:37.428 So, raise your hand if you believe[br]that you're a responsible individual. 0:00:39.052,0:00:42.399 Alright, now keep your hand[br]up if you're an adolescent. 0:00:43.413,0:00:45.492 Alright, you can put your hands down. 0:00:45.516,0:00:46.842 Now, put your hands up 0:00:46.866,0:00:51.142 if you believe that, generally,[br]adolescents as a whole are responsible. 0:00:54.381,0:00:56.044 (Laughter) 0:00:56.068,0:00:57.325 That's what I thought. 0:00:57.349,0:01:00.207 We'll see if that changes at all[br]over the course of this talk 0:01:00.231,0:01:04.459 as we delve further into the necessity[br]of adolescent responsibility, 0:01:04.483,0:01:07.862 and how we can take steps towards that. 0:01:07.886,0:01:13.167 Now, responsibility is defined as, one,[br]the state or fact of being responsible. 0:01:13.191,0:01:15.632 Don't you just love how[br]our dictionary works? 0:01:16.055,0:01:18.790 Two, an instance of being responsible. 0:01:18.814,0:01:23.416 Three, a particular burden of obligation[br]upon one who is responsible. 0:01:23.440,0:01:26.157 Four, something for which[br]one is responsible for. 0:01:26.181,0:01:29.305 And five, reliability or dependability. 0:01:30.202,0:01:35.082 Now, essentially all these definitions[br]can be condensed into two basic meanings: 0:01:35.106,0:01:38.837 firstly, being accountable for something[br]that one has been given league of, 0:01:38.861,0:01:41.897 and secondly, being[br]reliable or dependable. 0:01:42.421,0:01:46.119 Generally, society accepts the[br]first definition of responsible: 0:01:46.143,0:01:50.010 answerable or accountable for something[br]within one's power or control. 0:01:50.034,0:01:51.719 Seeing as this is the definition 0:01:51.743,0:01:56.123 that we as a society[br]have chosen to define responsible, 0:01:56.147,0:02:00.294 this shall be the definition I will[br]be using for the remainder of this talk. 0:02:01.053,0:02:03.160 So, let's get started. 0:02:03.872,0:02:07.371 Is responsibility[br]a truly universal concept? 0:02:07.395,0:02:11.770 Now, one would believe[br]that accountability was necessary 0:02:11.794,0:02:14.679 in the first civilizations[br]for them to grow. 0:02:14.703,0:02:17.136 If somebody didn't do[br]what they were supposed to do, 0:02:17.160,0:02:20.320 how in the world could[br]the society advance? 0:02:20.344,0:02:24.318 As children aged into adolescence,[br]they were given a real responsibility 0:02:24.342,0:02:29.182 in their community that would aid[br]in the development of said community. 0:02:29.206,0:02:34.457 This taught them both, how they were[br]to be responsible by their elders, 0:02:34.481,0:02:37.181 and gave them a more[br]concrete understanding 0:02:37.205,0:02:39.451 of the concept of responsibility. 0:02:41.355,0:02:47.870 Now, before we dig into[br]how we can actually get to a point 0:02:47.894,0:02:51.359 where we have entirely[br]responsible adolescents, 0:02:52.775,0:02:55.973 I've noticed that society generally[br]has come to the conclusion 0:02:55.997,0:02:59.470 that there's a possible option[br]for a failure of a responsibility. 0:02:59.494,0:03:01.606 I think we need to clear that up. 0:03:02.670,0:03:07.043 Going by the definition of responsible,[br]which is being answerable or accountable 0:03:07.067,0:03:10.058 for something within[br]one's power of control. 0:03:10.082,0:03:14.273 If somebody's given a job[br]and that job is a success, 0:03:14.297,0:03:17.349 sure, plain and simple,[br]they've completed their responsibility. 0:03:17.373,0:03:19.360 Now, let's say that job's a failure. 0:03:19.384,0:03:21.896 As long as they're[br]being held accountable for it, 0:03:21.920,0:03:23.869 they're still being responsible. 0:03:23.893,0:03:27.220 I've noticed how society has generally[br]thrown this to the wayside, 0:03:27.244,0:03:30.435 so I'd like you to keep that in mind[br]for the remainder of this talk, 0:03:30.459,0:03:33.181 and when you go back out[br]into your daily lives. 0:03:33.205,0:03:37.141 Now, responsibility takes many[br]different forms for each person. 0:03:37.165,0:03:40.289 Obviously the responsibilities[br]of a student and of a worker 0:03:40.313,0:03:42.561 are going to vary greatly. 0:03:42.585,0:03:46.299 However, the key concepts[br]that underlie responsibility 0:03:46.323,0:03:48.491 are common for each person: 0:03:48.515,0:03:51.934 trust, expectation, and comprehension. 0:03:51.958,0:03:57.257 So, we've defined the necessary aspects[br]for responsibility to exist and flourish 0:03:57.281,0:03:59.860 for both, adolescents and adults. 0:03:59.884,0:04:02.257 As previously stated, there's the trust 0:04:02.281,0:04:05.986 that one will uphold the aspect[br]of the agreement that applies to them. 0:04:06.010,0:04:11.874 Expectation for those given responsibility[br]is to be held accountable, 0:04:11.898,0:04:15.652 and comprehension of the situation[br]and elements involved. 0:04:16.817,0:04:21.322 As responsibility is built on the contract[br]that one will be held accountable, 0:04:21.346,0:04:25.647 the trust that one person will uphold[br]their portion of the agreement 0:04:25.671,0:04:30.207 is the epitome of the social phenomena[br]called responsibility. 0:04:30.231,0:04:33.081 Now, for responsibility to really exist, 0:04:33.105,0:04:36.445 there must be an expectation[br]for the one given a responsibility 0:04:36.469,0:04:39.696 to be held accountable[br]for what they have been requested to do. 0:04:39.720,0:04:44.569 One major aspect of this[br]is that consequences must be present 0:04:44.593,0:04:47.341 for expectations to truly[br]hold any meaning, 0:04:47.365,0:04:50.797 and therefore, for[br]responsibilities to be upheld. 0:04:51.306,0:04:53.132 Lastly, a comprehension of both, 0:04:53.156,0:04:56.703 what the expectations of the one[br]who is given the responsibility are 0:04:56.727,0:04:58.330 and the trust that exists 0:04:58.354,0:05:02.941 between those in the social contract[br]of responsibility must be present. 0:05:03.822,0:05:06.734 These three key aspects[br]for responsibility to exist 0:05:06.758,0:05:10.893 must be kept in mind,[br]particularly as I dissect 0:05:10.917,0:05:13.489 the needs of the adolescents[br]in order for us to develop 0:05:13.513,0:05:16.004 into the fully responsible[br]members of society 0:05:16.028,0:05:18.401 that we are growing up to be. 0:05:18.989,0:05:22.361 Now, adolescents require[br]certain stimuli from society 0:05:22.385,0:05:25.121 in order to assist[br]in the development of responsibility 0:05:25.145,0:05:27.716 through the entirety of brain development. 0:05:28.313,0:05:30.508 For instance, as previously mentioned, 0:05:30.532,0:05:33.152 as adolescents begin to develop[br]their prefrontal cortex, 0:05:33.176,0:05:35.659 wherein lies the capacity[br]of decision-making, 0:05:35.683,0:05:38.658 they strive for an increased[br]amount of responsibility 0:05:38.682,0:05:41.627 so that they can fill their brain 0:05:41.651,0:05:45.444 with the complete understanding[br]of responsibility, 0:05:45.468,0:05:51.078 giving them a more dynamic view[br]of this newly formed concept. 0:05:51.844,0:05:55.256 This can be observed,[br]as I'm sure you've all noticed, 0:05:55.280,0:05:58.464 as early adolescents wish for[br]increased amounts of freedom 0:05:58.488,0:06:00.012 in return for the responsibility 0:06:00.036,0:06:03.195 that they will be held accountable[br]for their actions. 0:06:03.219,0:06:08.282 And if an adolescent wishes not to be[br]held accountable for what they do, 0:06:08.306,0:06:10.837 they simply have that freedom removed. 0:06:10.861,0:06:13.129 That's where the consequences come in. 0:06:13.605,0:06:15.496 This prepares the very foundation 0:06:15.520,0:06:18.820 for the successful implementation[br]of responsibility 0:06:18.844,0:06:21.339 into young adolescent life. 0:06:21.363,0:06:24.517 In addition to the increased amount[br]of freedom and consequences 0:06:24.541,0:06:28.759 that adolescents must be given[br]to nurture responsible members of society, 0:06:28.783,0:06:33.505 these adolescents, in order to form[br]a strong basis for responsibility, 0:06:33.529,0:06:37.600 must be given a meaningful[br]position in society. 0:06:37.624,0:06:42.713 This results in not only the creation[br]of the sense of community involvement 0:06:42.737,0:06:46.599 that is an apparent necessity[br]in the development of an adolescent mind, 0:06:46.623,0:06:49.649 but also offers the adolescent[br]a better vantage point 0:06:49.673,0:06:52.765 from which they can[br]understand responsibility 0:06:52.789,0:06:55.472 and how it plays into everyday life. 0:06:55.496,0:06:58.700 Overall, although these examples[br]do not entirely complete 0:06:58.724,0:07:01.863 the needs of adolescents,[br]this essentially condenses the list 0:07:01.887,0:07:04.992 into three specific elements[br]that can be internally separated 0:07:05.016,0:07:08.637 in order to allow for a more complete[br]understanding of these needs. 0:07:08.661,0:07:12.298 Once again, these are trust,[br]expectations, and comprehension. 0:07:12.322,0:07:16.524 Now, early adolescence is a[br]particularly crucial period 0:07:16.548,0:07:20.848 in the development of autonomy,[br]including responsibility and self-control, 0:07:20.872,0:07:23.691 As seen in a study[br]done in Michigan in 1987 0:07:23.715,0:07:26.752 with 174 adolescents and their guardians, 0:07:26.776,0:07:29.949 the development of responsibility[br]in the tested adolescents 0:07:29.973,0:07:34.857 was directly correlated between gender[br]and parental employment status. 0:07:34.881,0:07:38.787 This study demonstrated that in families[br]with one parent who was not employed, 0:07:38.811,0:07:42.108 the adolescents had a tendency[br]to be more responsible. 0:07:42.969,0:07:45.402 This concludes that the concept[br]of responsibility 0:07:45.426,0:07:49.833 is taught from elders of society,[br]as I previously hypothesized. 0:07:49.857,0:07:53.501 This experiment also discovered[br]that females of early adolescence 0:07:53.525,0:07:57.129 generally were more responsible[br]than their male counterparts. 0:07:57.153,0:07:59.098 This can be attributed to the fact 0:07:59.122,0:08:02.130 that the female brain[br]develops slightly early in adolescence-- 0:08:02.154,0:08:04.225 slightly earlier[br]in adolescence than males, 0:08:04.249,0:08:05.971 and thus, the sections of the brain 0:08:05.995,0:08:09.178 that are involved in the development[br]of a sense of responsibility 0:08:09.202,0:08:11.444 are more complete than those with males. 0:08:11.468,0:08:14.469 As responsibility in adolescence[br]has been partially defined 0:08:14.493,0:08:17.199 through the scientific aspect[br]of the concept, 0:08:17.223,0:08:20.122 the quintessential component[br]of the development 0:08:20.146,0:08:24.406 of adolescent responsibility[br]is the adolescent itself. 0:08:24.430,0:08:27.928 As the adolescent grows,[br]they will begin to crave responsibility. 0:08:27.952,0:08:30.760 But what can adolescents[br]really be responsible for? 0:08:30.784,0:08:32.881 Now, I can imagine[br]that in all of your lives 0:08:32.905,0:08:35.447 you have things for which[br]you were responsible, 0:08:35.471,0:08:38.206 namely, your family,[br]your job, and yourself. 0:08:38.230,0:08:40.437 Those are the aspects of society 0:08:40.461,0:08:43.876 that a full-grown member[br]can truly be responsible for. 0:08:43.900,0:08:47.217 Now, adolescents are[br]responsible for themselves. 0:08:47.241,0:08:49.269 That's just the biological imperative, 0:08:49.293,0:08:51.230 that one will live as long as one can 0:08:51.254,0:08:53.522 so that one can pass on[br]their genetic makeup 0:08:53.546,0:08:56.158 and influence society as they see fit. 0:08:58.673,0:09:02.201 You may notice that a good portion[br]of adolescents do not have jobs. 0:09:02.225,0:09:03.517 Now, seemingly, 0:09:04.152,0:09:10.041 that would take the second point[br]of responsibility in society go to moot. 0:09:10.065,0:09:13.040 Education replaces[br]the responsibility of having a job 0:09:13.064,0:09:17.523 and must be treated the same way[br]as if you had a job. 0:09:17.547,0:09:22.428 The family unit and the social unit[br]are where the responsibilities 0:09:22.452,0:09:26.704 of an adolescent[br]and an adult differs greatly. 0:09:26.728,0:09:30.365 The responsibilities of an adult[br]in social situations is simple: 0:09:30.389,0:09:34.659 Be aware of those around you[br]and influence them as you see fit. 0:09:34.683,0:09:37.548 Similarly, the social[br]responsibilities of adolescents 0:09:37.572,0:09:39.778 revolve around the caring[br]for those around you 0:09:39.802,0:09:43.125 and influencing them in the way[br]that you view to be correct. 0:09:43.149,0:09:47.279 However, this responsibility[br]in adolescents 0:09:47.303,0:09:50.916 has much more impact[br]as the development of self-identification 0:09:50.940,0:09:54.597 is most prominent during[br]this stage of development. 0:09:54.621,0:09:58.916 Now, for an adult, the responsibilities[br]of a family is also simple: 0:09:58.940,0:10:01.607 Keep those whom you love[br]and/or share your genetic makeup 0:10:01.631,0:10:04.678 safe from harm,[br]and teach them to be self-reliant. 0:10:05.440,0:10:08.846 Now, this is where it[br]really begins to differ. 0:10:08.870,0:10:12.868 For an adolescent,[br]their responsibility in the family unit 0:10:12.892,0:10:14.948 is to learn from their parents 0:10:14.972,0:10:17.808 and assist those around[br]them to do the same. 0:10:17.832,0:10:19.809 At face value, this may seem as though 0:10:19.833,0:10:22.881 there's very little difference[br]in the responsibility of the adult 0:10:22.905,0:10:24.967 and of the adolescent in the family unit. 0:10:24.991,0:10:28.569 However, as the adult[br]is responsible for other people, 0:10:28.593,0:10:32.037 the adolescent is dependent[br]upon other people. 0:10:32.061,0:10:35.537 Yes, the adolescent is responsible[br]for him or herself, 0:10:35.561,0:10:38.936 but he or she is also cared for[br]by another being, 0:10:38.960,0:10:42.277 being taught responsibility[br]in the process. 0:10:42.301,0:10:44.190 This is the sole reason 0:10:44.214,0:10:48.983 that adolescents are able to develop[br]into responsible members of society. 0:10:50.975,0:10:54.759 The differentiation between adult[br]and adolescent responsibilities 0:10:54.783,0:10:57.392 in the family unit,[br]at the very essence of it, 0:10:57.416,0:11:00.424 allows for responsibility[br]in society to exist. 0:11:00.448,0:11:03.557 This allows for the[br]nurturing of responsibility 0:11:03.581,0:11:07.361 through the ageless relationship[br]of master and apprentice. 0:11:07.385,0:11:10.990 As an adult teaches an adolescent[br]the concepts of responsibility, 0:11:11.014,0:11:13.489 the adolescent develops[br]a better understanding 0:11:13.513,0:11:17.143 of said concept,[br]and in turn, reaches for more. 0:11:17.167,0:11:20.589 This allows for a continuous[br]development of responsible adults 0:11:20.613,0:11:23.057 through the teaching of adolescents. 0:11:23.081,0:11:26.748 Specifically, the nurturing[br]of responsibility in adolescents 0:11:26.772,0:11:28.415 requires certain elements: 0:11:28.439,0:11:32.027 the constant teaching and reminding[br]of the concept of responsibility 0:11:32.051,0:11:34.581 through both, action and discussion. 0:11:35.470,0:11:39.236 Two, the increase in responsibilities[br]in the life of the adolescent, 0:11:39.260,0:11:43.108 as they develop a concrete[br]understanding of responsibility 0:11:43.132,0:11:44.814 and acquire the necessary elements 0:11:44.838,0:11:47.774 to obtain more responsibility[br]in their lives, 0:11:47.798,0:11:51.594 and the cooperation[br]of both, adolescent and adult, 0:11:51.618,0:11:53.722 resulting in the mutual comprehension 0:11:53.746,0:11:56.482 of the necessity of the teaching[br]of responsibility 0:11:56.506,0:11:59.398 to adolescents for society as a whole. 0:11:59.422,0:12:02.337 Through the simple adhesion[br]to these necessary aspects 0:12:02.361,0:12:05.028 for the development[br]of responsibility in adolescents, 0:12:05.052,0:12:08.559 the development of a sense[br]of responsibility in the next generation 0:12:08.583,0:12:12.464 and in every generation thereafter[br]will be improved, 0:12:12.488,0:12:15.747 resulting in the allowance[br]for societal growth. 0:12:15.771,0:12:17.772 Now, let's focus on the second aspect 0:12:17.796,0:12:21.487 necessary for the development[br]of responsibility in adolescents: 0:12:21.511,0:12:24.778 the increase in responsibility[br]given to adolescents 0:12:24.802,0:12:29.559 as they continue to acquire more[br]knowledge pertaining to responsibility. 0:12:29.583,0:12:33.516 We're able to specifically locate examples[br]for each and every adolescent 0:12:33.540,0:12:36.418 in their life through which[br]they can be responsible for. 0:12:36.442,0:12:40.003 I, for instance, enjoy the responsibility[br]of getting my school work done, 0:12:40.027,0:12:41.178 keeping myself healthy, 0:12:41.202,0:12:44.082 and insuring that I am performing[br]to the best of my abilities 0:12:44.106,0:12:46.249 in each endeavor that I perform. 0:12:46.273,0:12:49.484 This doesn't paint a mold[br]for each adolescent in society, 0:12:49.508,0:12:52.390 and to locate the exact[br]instances, listen to this. 0:12:52.414,0:12:55.972 It takes time, patience,[br]and experimentation with the results 0:12:55.996,0:13:00.247 of different responsibilities[br]and the outcomes thereof. 0:13:00.738,0:13:05.681 Stemming directly from that,[br]both adolescents and society 0:13:05.705,0:13:07.504 need to partake an active role 0:13:07.528,0:13:10.441 in the development[br]of responsible adolescents. 0:13:10.465,0:13:13.441 Society needs to abide[br]by these necessary elements 0:13:13.465,0:13:18.005 for responsibility to grow and be present[br]in the journey of responsibility 0:13:18.029,0:13:21.949 for each and every adolescent in society. 0:13:21.973,0:13:24.164 Adolescents need to be aware[br]of this assistance 0:13:24.188,0:13:28.235 that they're being offered,[br]and take advantage of such assistance 0:13:28.259,0:13:30.909 in order to develop an increased[br]sense of responsibility 0:13:30.933,0:13:33.264 that they will pass on[br]to the next generation. 0:13:33.288,0:13:35.265 Adolescents also need to attempt 0:13:35.289,0:13:37.660 to increase their own levels[br]of responsibilities 0:13:37.684,0:13:40.462 within their family units[br]and their social groups, 0:13:40.486,0:13:44.009 allowing for a dynamic[br]growth of responsibility. 0:13:45.199,0:13:48.588 I believe that each member of society[br]has an important role 0:13:48.612,0:13:51.545 in the development[br]of responsible adolescents, 0:13:51.569,0:13:54.954 and though there is a large amount[br]of work to be done, 0:13:54.978,0:13:57.754 the development[br]of responsibility in adolescents 0:13:57.778,0:14:01.476 is a necessary[br]and obtainable aspect of society. 0:14:01.500,0:14:04.349 Though you may view us[br]now as a shadow of today, 0:14:04.373,0:14:06.577 tomorrow we will be the light[br]of the future. 0:14:06.601,0:14:07.751 Thank you. 0:14:07.775,0:14:10.726 (Applause)