Got a bookworm of a kid who gets straight A’s? You might want to search him or her for pot — 20 years from now.
A new study reported in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that having a high IQ in childhood could be associated with illegal drug use later in life, especially among women.
Go ahead and check your daughter’s dresser drawers. I’ll wait.
Researchers found that boys who received high IQ scores at age 5 were 50% more likely to have taken drugs like ecstasy and amphetamines 25 years later compared to men with low IQ scores. Why the report says that women are more likely to take drugs but then tells us about the men’s stats, I dunno.
More important is why do smart kids do dumb things? Reports Medical News Today: “Researchers highlight that prior investigations have revealed that individuals who are highly intelligent are open to experiences and keen on stimulation and novelty.”
In other words, smart kids become bored adults who were singled out as geeks in high school, so they look for an escape.
So, if you thought you had it made because you have a gifted kid who doesn’t hang out with the fast crowd, here’s a little study to deflate your balloon.
Gee, thanks Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health for giving a whole new meaning to “high IQ.”
I know there are studies to prove whatever perception someone takes. What I have learned from my own 4 children is that you must be connected to them to make a difference. Parents sometimes don’t realize the impact they can have on their teens. Sometimes we won’t know or see immediate results, but influence is not always apparent (no pun intended). Almost all teens can become “bored”, intelligent or not. I do believe that their peers and circle of friends are a huge impression – smart or not. Communication has to be short & sweet. The more we “talk” at them, the less influence we will have. When we state what is expected and walk away parents then need to hope and pray that all the years of teaching that there are consequences to any choices we make, are actually in there. That’s why teaching at early ages is so imperative. Teaching them to make mistakes early and learning from them gives children experience to learn from. When we make all the choices for them when they are young and supply never ending money, decisions, “yes” & “nos” we are not teaching how to make good decisions. My father always said, “Some kids will be super intelligent, some will have lots of common sense. I’d rather you had common sense any day.” So we need to teach good values, principles, life skills; no matter how “smart” they are.