Such findings help explain the tendency of teenagers to indulge in reckless and dangerous behavior.

However, similar studies have found that the age group spanning 35 to 54 years has an even worse record. Incidences of drug-abuse deaths, incarceration for violent crimes and major felonies among this group have increased 550, 600 and 200 percent respectively since the mid-1970s in the United States.

Sadly, the "baby boomer" generation has exhibited more signs of immaturity as it has aged, while succeeding generations have a track record of better behavior as they grow older (Mike Males, "This Is Your (Father's) Brain on Drugs," The New York Times, Sept. 17, 2007).