CH 11: ADOLESCENCE

Adolescence is relatively a new term that flourished during the Western societies before the 1900’s. When one is going through the process of adolescence, there are certain factors that are quite important. Adolescence is characterized by the physical development, social development, and identity formation. Adolescence is a challenging stage where one undergoes several processes both physically and mentally where several challenges may take place.

            One of the characteristics of adolescence is the physical development. Here one goes under an adolescence growth spurt. An adolescence growth spurt is a growth that lasts approximately 2 to 3 years where one grows 8 to 12 inches in height. Girls begin this growth spurt before boys. The growth spurt can occur first in the feet and hands before arms and legs. Adolescents may feel awkward because of this. Also, when one is in the adolescent stage, one goes through puberty. These are the developmental changes that lead to the ability to reproduce. Reproductive organs change and develop. Here, there are primary sex characteristics present. These include characteristics that are directly involved in reproduction and secondary sex characteristics that are not directly involved in reproduction. These characteristics are ones such as growing of hair in certain parts, the deepening of voice in men, and the rounding of hips and breasts of the women. These changes are due to hormone levels.  Men produce more testosterone and women more estrogen. Of course certain people mature earlier or later than others do.

            According to scientists, these hormonal levels affect their activity levels, mood swings, and aggressive tendencies. When one is an adolescent the relationship with the parents undergoes redefinition. Teenagers want to be independent from parents which can lead to certain conflicts. Wanting freedom can lead to less time with parents or family and more time with friends. Teenagers tend to interact more with their mother than they do with their father.  In this stage there is an increase in importance of friends. Having friends means more than just having people to spend time with. Teens usually choose friends who are similar to themselves in several aspects. Adolescents not only have friends but belong to one or more groups called cliques and crowds. Also many people begin dating in their teenage years.  The reason they date is because it may help them prepare for more serious relationships in later life.Relationships amongst younger adolescents are casual and short but in later n adolescence relationships become more stable and committed.

                        Adolescents have challenging situations. Many times these can be seen in eating disorders. These disorders include anorexia or a self-starving condition, and bulimia which is eating followed up by forced vomiting. These affect young women mostly due to societal pressures of beauty and perfection. Also the risk of substance abuse and drugs affect several teens to solve their issues or simply to experiment.

            As seen previously the adolescence stage is not a simple one. It is complicated known for several changes both physically and mentally.  This may be due to hormonal changes.  Adolescents are highly influential, curious, and fragile in a way. This is what makes adolescence such a complex stage, which is why a denomination was made for these ranges of years covered by the adolescence.  

Adolescent have the risk of consuming drugs.