Teenagers: Why Do They Rebel?

Breaking curfew, arguing, shoplifting. Teenagers can push your patience.All teens go through similar phases -- the need for independence, a separate identity, testing authority. It's part of growing up; it's also linked to developmental changes in the brain that will eventually help them become analytical adults.

During the teenage years, the area of the brain called the pre-frontal cortex is developing it's your thinking cap and judgment center. where kids don't see the flaws in parents but adolescents suddenly see the world more realistically.As a child evolves into a teenager, the brain becomes able to synthesize information into ideas. Teens want to exercise their new skill -- and they tend to practice on their parents. "It may seem that they argue for the sake of arguing. But really, they're practicing their new abilities."