Youth and Testosterone

A quick (really quick) post before I drop DD#2 at school and head to BART and work...

Most of the news reports--indeed, most bloggers--have referred to those rioting in Paris as "youths." Reading more closely, I find that most of these "youths" are in their late teens (18, 19) and early-to-mid-20's.

This age happens to be when testosterone levels peak in young males. In an earlier age, these young men would not be sitting around watching videos and playing video games. They would be earning a living with hard, physical labor and starting their families.

Instead, they are rioting.

Biology won't be denied. All their extra energy has to go somewhere. And modern society has precious few outlets to challenge them.