Adolescence

ADOLESCENCE
ADOLESCENCE
ADOLESCENCE
ADOLESCENCE

Discussion Discussion Discussion Discussion Discussion
key ideas of ADOLESCENCE

1what is adolescence?
2child to adult
3biological (adolescent body)
4psychological
5social
6spirituality
7 sexuality
8threats to development
9protective factors

Late 19th & early 20th century

U.S. becomes Child labor & Juvenile justice
urbanized/ education system
industrialized policies passed developed

Juvenile & adults
viewed differently

Stanley G. Hall “storm & stress”

adolescence originated from

adolescere

adolescence originated from
Means “to grow
into maturity””
Latin verb

adolescere

Many cultures have
rights of passage
which mark the
transition from
childhood to
adulthood

•Tanzania: male/female
circumcision
Many cultures have •Jewish: bar mitzvah
•Latino: quincea era
rights of passage •Native American: vision
quest
which mark the •United States: Protestant
confirmation
transition from ceremonies, H.S.

childhood to graduation, voter
registration, etc.
adulthood

PUBERTY= stage of reproductive system
maturity
Increased hormone levels stimulate the
development & functioning of the
reproductive system

PUBERTY= stage of reproductive system
maturity
Increased hormone levels stimulate the
development & functioning of the
Males: androgens reproductive system
Females: progestins & estrogens

Primary Sex Secondary Sex
Characteristics Characteristics
Directly related to Not directly related to
reproductive organs & reproductive organs &
external genitalia external genitalia

Primary Sex Secondary Sex
Characteristics Characteristics
Directly related to Not directly related to
reproductive organs & reproductive organs &
external genitalia external genitalia

Penis & scrotum growth Facial hair & deeper voice

Ovary, uterus, vagina, clitoris & labia growth Enlarged breasts & hips

Hair & sweat gland changes

For reproduction to occur…
Females must reach Males must reach
menarche and ovulate spermarche

For reproduction to occur…
Females must reach Males must reach
menarche and ovulate spermarche

Sloughing off of the
The onset of the ability to
uterus lining
ejaculate sperm
The release of an egg from an ovary

Pubertal changes usually occur
between the ages of:
9-17 11-16

Adolescents demonstrate behavioral 3
changes: increased novelty seeking, increased
risk taking & greater peer affiliation

* means original, unique*

Research raises questions on
extent of adolescents capacity
for decision making

Cold cognition: problem
solving when SUPRISE!!!
adolescents are alone &
calm etc. Adolescents
Hot cognition: problem perform well
solving when adolescents
are with peers & have with this….. NOT
this!
elevated emotions/
sexual tension, etc.

Adolescents don’t get
proper nutrition or
enough exercise & sleep

Adolescents display interest in
discovering & forming their
psychological
selves, humanitarian
issues, ethics, religion, &

Responses to puberty…
Males focus on
increased muscle mass
& physical strength

Females focus on
increased body weight
& fat deposits

Consequently, m
ales usually view
puberty more
positively than
females

Adolescent pubertal
experience is greatly
influenced by others
reaction to their
biological changes

Adolescents can
hypothesize beyond the
present. This allows for
engagement in decision
making based on a cost-
benefit analysis

Adolescents can
hypothesize beyond the
a’ la Jean Piaget’s 4th stage
present. This allows for of cognitive development-
engagement in decision FORMAL OPERATION.
making based on a cost-
benefit analysis

Adolescents are
developing multicultural
identities as they are
increasingly exposed to
diverse cultures
through first-hand
experience & the media

Freud

Kohlberg Erikson
Theories that
address self/
psychological
identity in
adolescents

Piaget Kegan

Marcia

Scholars generally agree that
identity formation is structured
by the sociocultural context

Roman, W.T. H. does that mean?

It means the options offered to
adolescents will vary across cultures

It means the options offered to
adolescents will vary across cultures

e.g. North America places a high value on
autonomy & therefore offers more options
than more collectivist-oriented societies

There are aspects of identity
that adolescents shape
themselves. There are 4 ways
of trying on & developing a
preference for certain identities

1 future Orientation: comtemplate potential outcomes of
behaviors & potential future selves

2 role expectation: sampling membership in different
cliques, experimenting with social roles

3 exploration: refers to comfort level w/ trying new things
4 self-Evaluation: personal reflection & observation of oneself
in relation to others *George H. Mead: generalized other
(how others are likely to view & respond)

Culture plays a LARGE
part in the process of
gender identity

Ethnic origin is central to the identity
of ethnic minorities- not so much for
Caucasian North Americans

develop skills to operate develop strong
in @ least 2 cultures ethnic
(bicultural) identities
because of this

4 components to Individuation (development of
identity that is unique & separate):
1 functional independence: functioning independently from
parents
2 attitudinal independence: developing a set of values & beliefs
3 emotional independence: not dependent on parents for
approval, intimacy & emotional support
4 conflictual independence: recognizing one’s separateness
from parents w/o negative emotions

Even when these components are
consistent with an adolescents
culture, not all are able to achieve
these levels of independence for
varying reasons

Early adolescents select friends who
are similar in gender & interests.

Early adolescents select friends who
are similar in gender & interests.
Later their groups will include
opposite-sex friends as well.

Participation in certain
peer groups may
negatively influence an
adolescents behavior

Adolescent romantic
relationships fulfill 4
needs:
affiliation, attachment, ca
regiving, and sexual
gratification

In the U.S. & many other wealthy
nations, youth are required to stay in
school. Girls have been found to be more
invested in school & school activities than
boys. In school, adolescents gain skills &
knowledge for the workforce or furthering
their education

Work provides
opportunities for social
interaction & greater
financial independence
Adolescents who work
10+ hrs a week have poor
academic
performance, psychologic
al & physical problems

School

Sports
Leisure & Uninvolved

Activity
Working
clusters Volunteer

High-
Involved

Large numbers of adolescents are
using cell phones & the internet to
stay connected. This brings new
sets of benefits & risks to
adolescent identity development.

Adolescence & young adulthood are
stages when religious conversions
most likely take place. Religious
organizations target these groups to
exert influence in their lives

Youth who participate in religious
services have:
1 more positive identity development
2 more supportive relationships
3 Engage in less risky behaviors (sex
& substance abuse)

Adolescents are strongly
influenced by their peers &
families attitudes towards sex.
When & how they begin engaging
in sexual activity is linked to the
perceived actions of their peers

Adolescent boys
masturbate more
than adolescent girls

Adolescents like having sex &
they do it often- reportedly
earlier than adolescents in
other industrialized countries

U.S. incidences of adolescent
pregnancy, childbearing, an
d STD’s are higher than
those of other
industrialized nations

Adolescence is a time when
youth develop awareness
of their sexual orientation

Many adolescents
experiment with
Drug Use
the use of
nicotine, alcohol,
& other
psychoactive
substances-
especially high
United States Industrialized
schoolers

Adolescent reasons for using alcohol
& other psychoactive substances….
deal w/ get high have a
opposite good time
sex
alleviate
boredom
relieve
cheer up appear tension/
adultlike anxiety

Substance abuse affects
metabolism, internal organs, central
nervous system, emotional
functioning, & cognitive functioning &
pose a threat to adolescent health

Children older than 5 but younger than
18 can be arrested for anything an
adult can. They can also be arrested
for status offenses- behaviors not
considered crimes when committed by
adults. Crimes by adolescents are
referred to as juvenile delinquency

Juveniles are more likely
than adults to be both
victims and perpetrators of
violence (including bullying)

Because of their underreporting, date rape & dating
violence may be more prevalent among adolescents
than the data suggest
1 acquaintance rape: forced, manipulated, or
coerced sexual contact by someone known to the
victim
2 statutory rape: individuals have voluntary &
consensual sex but one too young or unable to
legally consent (e.g. mentally retarded)

Additional threats to
physical and mental
health stem from
poverty, low educational
attainment, & obesity

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
proposed adolescent health objectives
1 Increase school involvement & achievement
2 Increase sex/STD education
3 Decrease adolescent bullying
4 Decrease adolescent substance abuse & criminal
activity
5 Equip adolescents w/ skills & services to
successfully transition into adulthood

Adolescence

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