Challenges of Middle and Late Adolescence

1. CHALLENGES
OF MIDDLE AND
LATE
ADOLESCENCE
MODULE 3, QUARTER 1, 1ST SEMESTER
SY 2021 – 2022
PREPARED BY: EDWARD NICOLE R. FRONIAS

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Discuss developmental tasks and challenges being
experienced during adolescence; and
2. Evaluate one’s development through the help of
significant people around him/her (peers, parents,
siblings, friends, teachers, community leaders).

3. Common Challenges in Middle and
Late Adolescence
SEXUALITY
Male-Female Sexual :
•teens are dating earlier than in the past generations
Earlier dater are more likely to engage in sex but not always; teens
who have close relationships with their parents are less likely to
initiate sex at an early age
•Many teens are engaging in “petting” and do not consider
themselves as having sex unless they engage in intercourse

4.  SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP
Emotional difficulties arise because of incorrect or inadequate information concerning sex.
Many adolescent are made to feel that questions concerning sex are improper and
shameful. Strong parental attachment usually prevents the adolescent from making serious
commitments to a relationship since it is difficult for them to entertain the thought of leaving
home. When one decides to have commitments, he or she likely to look for qualities like
those of their parent.
 PEER ADJUSTMENT
The peer culture acts as a transition period before reaching adult status in the community.
Developing a sense of responsibility depends upon the satisfactions of social skills which
enables one to become acquainted with other young people. Failure to develop these skills
with others can lead to feelings of inadequacy and indifference.
 INTELLECTUAL MATURATION
During this period, attitudes are formed, which are like remain relatively unchanged
throughout life. Ways of thinking are being developed which will lead to either: healthy
problem-solving techniques, expanded intellectual curiosity, and interest; or to narrow
viewpoint; faculty habits and poverty of concepts.

5. CAUSES OF RISKY BEHAVIORS
 According to Santrock (2012) cited the biopsychosocial approach in emphasizing that biological,
psychological and social factors interplay and contribute to create problems that you need to
overcome during adolescence. Biological or physical factors such genes, puberty have been linking
linking to higher rates of depression and heightened sex drives.
 There are Social Factors that contribute to the emergence of an adolescent. These factors include
the family, peers, school, socio economic status and immediate environment. During adolescence,
adolescence, you spend more time with your peers, which may have negative effects on your
attitude and behavior. Rejection may cause depression if not handled well. Hanging out with
friends who have negative attitudes has a big influence on your personality development.
 Adolescents who live in unhealthy environment are in higher risk for developing problems (Chen
et al, 2011) Moreover, adolescents who came from non-intact families due to nonmarriage,
separation, parents working abroad, and death usually experience problems.

6. Pitfalls and Challenges of Adolescents
 Using and abusing drugs. The use of drugs is often due to peer pressure. Sequentially, it starts
with drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking cigarettes, and eventually using and abusing other
illegal drugs. This means that the more your friends use illegal drugs, the more likely you become
involved with drugs.
 Being addicted to computer / cellphone games. Computer gaming is really a popular recreational
activity. Adolescents get hooked to them not only because they are fun but also because these
games provide opportunities for adolescents to express what they feel, create their own world,
and most importantly find their identity in the characters in the game. Computer addicts neglect
time orientation because they are virtually living inside the electronic world.
 Running away from home. Some teenagers today run away from home for different reasons. Their
Their reason range from their parents hurting them physically, feeling unhappy at home, to using
it to get what they want. According to Kimmel and Weiner (1995), runaways who anticipate to
finding something pleasant at home, return home sooner and manifest that they are less
traumatized than those who run away from something unpleasant, such as being physically hurt
or violated at home.

7.  Being sexually promiscuous. As teenagers normally experience heightened sexual desire,
due to hormonal changes that occur in their body during this stage, they try to engage in
sexual activities and sexual explorations accentuated by prodding’s of their peers. Based
on data of the Department of Health (DOH) on the transmission of Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (2014) the greatest number of persons who become
infected with HIV are Teenagers.
 Becoming a Teenage Parent. As a result of being sexually promiscuous, teenage
pregnancy becomes rampant nowadays. Combined with social media expose sexual
exploitations, teenage pregnancies have increased. At this stage teenager have yet to
master life skills relevant to being responsible in raising children.
 Being Depressed and Committing Suicide Another challenge that you may encounter is
Depression. According to the Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, fifth
edition (DSM 5 ed.)

8. The Nine (9) Symptoms of Depression
1. Depressed mood most of the day
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all activities most of the day
3. Significantly weight loss or weight gain or decrease or increase in appetite nearly everyday
everyday
4. Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly everyday
5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day
6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day
8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness nearly every day
9. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a
suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

9. Strategies to Cope with Challenges
The challenges that you normally face may be stressful and painful. Although you have the
capability to handle them, everyday stress and pressures may cause some strain in your
psychological well-being. To be able to cope well and make sure to emerge in this journey
victoriously, here are some strategies that may help you to do so. (Sevilla, 2000)
1. Learn to Accept what you Feel.
2. Identify your Vulnerabilities.
3. Develop your talents and interests.
4. Become more involve with others.
5. Seek help when needed.

10. SHARING / REFLECTION
(2 – 3 minutes)

11. “Sometimes you climb out of bed in the
morning, and you think, I’m not going to make
it, but you laugh inside – remembering all the
times you’ve felt that way.” - Charles
Bukowski

12. References:
 Personal Development Diwa textbook by Diwa Senior High School
Series; Diwa Learning System Inc. Copyrights 2016
 Personal Development Second Edition Diwa textbook by Diwa
Senior High School Series; Diwa Learning System Inc. Copyrights
2019 Grade 11
 Personal Development textbook; Scolaire Publishing; Copyrights
2016
 Challenges of Middle to Late Adolescents Retrieved from
Perdev 4th Topic - Challenges On Late and Middle Adolescence |
PDF | Adolescence | Sexual Intercourse (scribd.com)

13. THANK YOU FOR
PARTICIPATING!