Changes that occur during adolescence

1. Changes that occur during adolescent
 Physical changes
These are certain changes that take place on the individual’s body when they reach their
adoloscence stage. The body undergoes growth and there are observable changes in the physical
appearance. This is usually referred to as the puberty stage. Adolescents become aware of their
physical appearance.
 Emotional Changes
Adolescents always face emotional changes. Emotions have to do with our feelings, how
we feel about someone or something. Adolescents experience mood swings, they become
short tempered, lonely and confused. They also become aware of themselves and
develop sexual feelings.
(c) Mental changes/ Intellectual changes
These are the changes that take place within our minds.
As we grow up, our minds also grow. This is evident in the way we reason. During this time
adolescents develop the ability to reason. Their minds now begin to think in a logical way.
They begin to understand concepts in a better way and have opinions on different ideas. For
example, they have the capacity to set their own goals, develop interest in moral thinking,
and even think deeply about the meaning of life.

2. Social Changes
Adolescents usually regard themselves as young adults. They believe they own a little bit of
independence and most of the time demand it.
They want freedom in order to make independent decisions and they want their decisions to
be respected. If they feel their decisions are not respected then they can become frustrated
and become rebellious.
Since they become aware of themselves, they always seek for privacy. This is because they
have started to form their own values and identity.
They also start forming a circle of friends. Such friendships would be short lived in most
cases because they are looking for a group in which they will properly fit.
They keep on changing friends. Peer relationships are important. Long term relationships
may also be formed during this time.
Adolescents may also expect to have an input in the running of the family. They want to be
involved in the decisions made for the family for example, budgeting for the family finances.
It is during this time that adolescents show interest in the social and cultural traditions.
Learner, how many traditional dance groups do you know? You may have noticed that they
are formed by teenagers.