Stages of Adolescence.

2. Adolescence is a transitional age of physical and
psychological human development generally occurring
during the period from puberty to legal adulthood (age
of majority).The period of adolescence is most closely
associated with the teenage years, though its physical,
psychological and cultural expressions can begin earlier
and end later.

3. Three main stages of adolescence :
 Early adolescence (12-14 years) — characterized by a spurt
of growth and the development of secondary sexual
characteristics.
 Middle adolescence (14-17years) - this stage is
distinguished by the development of a separate identity
from parents, of new relationships with peer groups and
the opposite sex, and of experimentation.
 Late adolescence (17-19 years) — At this stage,
adolescents have fully developed physical characteristics
(similar to adults), and have formed a distinct identity and
have well-formed opinions and ideas.

4. Physical Development
 Experience onset of puberty, develop secondary sex
characteristics
 Grow rapidly, are often clumsy and uncoordinated
 The approximate age for sexual maturation is 12.5 years for
boys and 10.5 years for girls.
 Menstruation is the first sign of puberty for girls, whereas
appearance of few whiskers is the sign of puberty for boys.
 The secretion of sex hormones ( Estrogen-Girls,
Testosterone-Boys ) help in pubertal development and also
closely associated with emotions during this period, like
Aggression is found in boys and Depression in girls.

5. Weight :
 Growth spurt begins earlier in girls (10–14 years, while
it is 12–16 in boys).
 Males gains 7 to 30kg, while female gains 7 to 25kg.
Height :
 Height of grails will be maximum between the age 16-
17
 By the age of 13, the adolescent triples his birth length.
 Males gains 10 to 30cm in height.
 Females gains less height than males as they gain 5 to
20 cm.
 Growth in height ceases at 16 or 17 years in females and
18 to 20 in males

6. Secondary Sex Characteristics
Secondary sex characteristics in girls :
 Increase in diameter of the pelvis.
 Development of the breasts.
 Change in the vaginal secretions.
 Growth of pubic and axillary hair.
 Menstruation
Secondary sex characteristics in boys :
 Increase in size of genitalia.
 Swelling of the breast.
 Growth of pubic, axillary, facial and chest hair.
 Change in voice.
 Rapid growth of shoulder breadth.

7. Emotional Development
 They are unpredictable emotionally, are sensitive and
prone to outbursts.
 Are vulnerable to emotional pleas and can be easily
manipulated
 Exhibit an increasing capacity for empathy
 Experience increasing sexual feeling may engage in
sexual behavior without realizing consequence.
 This period is heightened emotions, glands function
comes under socials pressure
 Temper tantrums, mood swing
 Intense self consciousness
 Day dreaming in common

8. Social Development
 Display a more developed social consciousness.
 Are more aware of relational ships and have a strong need
to belong
 Exhibit desire for independence and autonomy
 Experience a shift in dependence on family to dependence
on peers.
 Able to critically compare parents with others.
 Seek deeper friendship based on shared interests loyalty
 Experience increased interest in opposite sex, though may
often feel uncomfortable and awkward with the other sex.

9. Cognitive Development
 Develop ability to think abstractly, but many still think in
literal terms.
 Develop critical thinking skills and become more self-
aware, self critical.
 Exhibit increased communication skills.
 Becomes argumentative and demonstrate an intense need
to be ‘right’
 Develop decision making skills and wants a voice in their
choices.
 Show intense focus on a new interest but lack discipline to
sustain it.
 Increases in span of attention

10. Hazards
Physical Hazards :
Physical hazards in this stage are now less numerous and less
important than the psychological hazards.
 Mortality : as a result of illness is far less common
although deaths due to automobile accidents increase.
 Clumsiness and Awkwardness : These are more serious
than at any other time during the life span. This has serious
impact on social maladjustments and self-concept.
 Suicide : Many boys and girls who commit or attempt to
commit suicide have been socially isolated for a period of
time before and many have experienced family disruptions
and school problems.

11.  Physical Defects : These defects prevent adolescents
from doing what their peers do.
 Sex-Inappropriate Body Builds : Far more
disturbing to an adolescent than to a child mainly
because they are judged more by their sex-appropriate
appearance and they are aware that once their growth
is nearly complete as it is when adolescence draws to
close, their body build is for life.

12. Psychological Hazards :
 Ignorance about many basic facts lead to psychological
problems .
 Misconception about child birth, reproduction
 Misconception about coitus menstrual cycles.
 Fear about sex and sexual issue.
 Inferiority / Superiority complex about skin colour, beauty,
mental ability and IQ.
 Inexplicable perceptions about dress and fashion codes.
 Wrong and unrealistic ideologies about friendship and
courtship.
 Perceptional or communicational complications about
their teachers and parents.
 Unrealistic and illogical curiosity about sex and sex related
issues.
 Exceptional vulnerability to suicide psychology.

13. Social Hazards :
 Anticipated unemployment and insecurity due to
unemployment.
 Unwarranted and inexplicable hatredness towards
brother / sisters, friends.
 Intense closeness with brothers / sisters, friends.
 Unpredictable and volatile relationships with friends.
 Unrealistic social perceptions about violence, love, sex
as influenced by media.
 Unusually vulnerable and volatile relations with
relatives.
 Fear / imagination about married life, life partners.

14. Educational Hazards :
 Tensions of attending the classes, examinations and
tests.
 Low IQ feeling.
 Fear about failure in examination.
 Fear about low score.
 Fear and concern about a future career.
 Misconceptions about teachers.

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