In a recent announcement, the American Medical Association (AMA) expressed its support for later school start times for adolescents, emphasizing the need to enhance their overall wellness. The struggle many parents face when trying to rouse their teenagers in the morning can be attributed to biological factors; teenagers are essentially predisposed to stay up late and rise later. It may be time to reconsider our traditional morning routines.
Research indicates that prior to puberty, individuals naturally feel sleepy around 8:00 or 9:00 PM. However, with the onset of puberty, this sleep cycle shifts, leading teenagers to feel the urge to sleep around 10:00 or 11:00 PM. A study from the University of California, Los Angeles, reveals that this phenomenon, referred to as “sleep phase delay,” results in a delay of about two hours in their natural sleep patterns. The AMA recognizes the challenges this creates for students expected to perform academically in the early morning hours.
Currently, approximately 10% of high schools in the United States commence classes at or before 7:30 AM. Even a more common starting time of 8:30 AM poses difficulties, as it becomes nearly impossible for teenagers to achieve the recommended 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep each night given their biological predisposition to fall asleep later.
The AMA’s new policy advocates for school districts nationwide to establish start times no earlier than 8:30 AM for middle and high schools. The organization also encourages healthcare professionals to educate parents, school staff, and community members about the critical role of sleep in supporting the mental and physical health of adolescents, grounded in their innate biological needs.
Insufficient sleep correlates with a range of physical and psychological complications. The AMA highlights that lack of sleep can lead to poor memory, mood disorders, and heightened symptoms of depression and anxiety, particularly among those who consistently sleep for fewer than six hours each night. This reinforces the idea that teenagers’ morning lethargy is not merely an act of dramatics.
Dr. Sarah Langston, a member of the AMA Board, stated, “While the transition to later school start times may be a challenging and potentially contentious issue for educational institutions and families, the health benefits for adolescents far exceed any possible drawbacks.”
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In summary, the AMA’s push for later school start times aligns with the biological sleep needs of teenagers, advocating for their health and wellness as a priority over traditional schedules.
Keyphrase: later school start times for teens
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