Chapter 4 Developing Decision-Making Skills 99
like tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs need to be
informed decisions based on facts. Personal opin-
ions, gut-level feelings, or a friend’s opinions are
not enough. Your decisions about tobacco, alcohol,
and other drugs can affect you for the rest of your
life. Thinking through the consequences of using
harmful substances can help you make decisions
to avoid their use.
effect on society as a whole. Good decision making
and planning is needed so that your choices take
your life path in the direction you desire.
Effects of Decisions on Health
and Well-Being
One of the developmental tasks of the teen
years is to make healthful choices that help you
grow to maturity. You need to continue to make
healthful choices throughout your adult life.
Maintaining your health and well-being will
impact how you feel and the energy you have.
Good health affects your performance at work as
well as in your family and friend relationships.
Thus, it is important to make good decisions
related to your physical and mental health.
You can build good health by making informed
decisions about what you eat, considering
the nutrition your body needs, and using the
resources you have to purchase and prepare food
(Figure 4.13). Making decisions to include regular
exercise in your daily routine, get enough sleep
every night, manage stress, and act in a safe way
will also help you promote health and well-being.
Avoiding unhealthful behaviors is also
important. Your decisions related to substances
Using the Decision-Making Process
Stephanie, a high school student, enjoys her
job as a cashier. She works from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m.
each day at a local supermarket. The store is within
walking distance of her home. However, the job only
pays $9.00 per hour.
Stephanie has been offered another cashier job
at a local restaurant that pays $9.75 per hour. She
would have to work from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. daily. The
restaurant is located 10 blocks from her home. Even
though she could walk to work, she would need a
ride home each evening.
To help her think through her decision, Stephanie
decided to use the decision-making process.
For Discussion
1. Identify the issue that is causing Stephanie to
make a decision.
2. What alternatives does she have?
3. What are the benefits and the disadvantages of
each choice? What could be the future outcomes
of each alternative?
4. Which choice would you recommend? Explain
your reasoning.
5. What obstacles could prevent Stephanie from
implementing her plan?
6. What should Stephanie consider in evaluating
her decision?
Real-Life Scenario
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com
Figure 4.13 Making healthful food choices will help
you feel better. What obstacles could keep you from
making good decisions about the food you eat?
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