This second practice theory course builds on SWK 501, Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups, extending the concepts of strengths based practice to work with organizations and communities. The relationships between communities and organizations and at risk populations are infused throughout the course. Knowledge, values and skills will be obtained throughout the course. These will be gained through readings, oral and written assignments, and videos

1. Understanding Human Behavior and the Social
Environment
Eleventh Edition
Chapter 6
Biological
Development in
Adolescence
Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.

2. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
Learning Objectives
• LO 6-1 Define adolescence
• LO 6-2 Describe major physical changes during
adolescence (including puberty, the growth spurt, the
secular trend, and primary and secondary sex
characteristics)
• LO 6-3 Explain psychological reactions to physical
changes
• LO 6-4 Describe sexual activity in adolescence
• LO 6-5 Assess sex education and empowerment
• LO 6-6 Identify sexually transmitted diseases
• LO 6-7 Explain major methods of contraception

3. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-1
• Define Adolescence
– Adolescence is the transitional period between
childhood and adulthood during which young people
mature physically and sexually.
– The word is derived from the Latin verb adolescere,
which means “to grow into maturity.”
– Some societies have specific rites of passage or events
to mark the transition from childhood into adulthood.

4. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-2
• Major Physical Changes During Adolescence
– Puberty
– The Growth Spurt
 The initial entrance into puberty is typically characterized by a
sharp increase in height.
 Adolescents tend to have unequal and disproportionate growth.
– The Secular Trend
– Primary and Secondary Sex Characteristics

5. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-3 (1 of 2)
• Psychological Reactions to Physical Changes
– One thing that marks adolescence is self-criticism.
– Physical imperfections are sought out, emphasized, and
dwelled on.
• Body Image and Self-Concept
– Although before puberty levels of depression among
girls and boys are similar, during adolescence girls are
more likely to experience depression.
– Early and Late Maturation in Boys

6. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-3 (2 of 2)
– Early and Late Maturation in Girls
– Brain Development During Adolescence
 During adolescence, boys experience greater changes in their
brains than girls
– Adolescent Health, and Substance Use and Abuse
 During any time of life, including adolescence, lifestyle directly
impacts health and the ability to function effectively.
 Discussed here is the use of mind-altering drugs, alcohol, and
tobacco.

7. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
Significant Issues and Life Events
• Significant Issues and Life Events
– Certain significant experiences and life events tend to
characterize adolescence and young adulthood.
– Because adolescence is a period of sexual
development, sexuality will be emphasized.
– Masturbation

8. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-4 (1 of 2)
• Describe Sexual Activity in Adolescence
– A major trend characterizing adolescent sexual activity
from the 1950s to the 1970s was a dramatic increase in
teenagers having intercourse.
– Racial and Other Differences in Adolescent Sexual
Activity
– Unplanned Pregnancy in Adolescence
 The United States has one of the highest, if not the highest,
rates of teenage pregnancy among Western industrialized
nations.
 The children themselves are more likely not only to have a low
birth weight, but also a higher mortality rate.

9. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-4 (2 of 2)
– Teenage Fathers
 Variables making a person more likely to become a teen father
include living in an inner city, doing poorly in school, being poor,
and being involved in delinquent acts.
– Why Do Teens Get Pregnant?
 An adolescent who is sexually active has a 90 percent chance
of becoming pregnant in one year of unprotected intercourse.
 In 1982, only 48 percent of females who used contraceptives
the first time they had sex, whereas from 2011-2103, 79 percent
used some type of contraception.

10. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-5
• Assess Sex Education and Empowerment
– Sex Education by Parents
– Current Policy and Sex Education Programs
– Abstinence-Only-Before-Marriage Sex Education
Programs
– Comprehensive Sex Education Programs
– Empowerment Through Sex Education for Native
Americans

11. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-6 (1 of 2)
• Identify Sexually Transmitted Infections
– In the past, STIs were referred to as venereal diseases
(VD).
– 20 million new cases of STIs develop every year
 Half of these involve people aged 15–24
– Chlamydia
– Gonorrhea
– Syphilis

12. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-6 (2 of 2)
– Pubic Lice
 “crabs”
– Scabies
– Trichomoniasis
 About 3.7 million people are infected
– Genital Herpes
– Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
– HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
– Preventing STIs

13. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-7 (1 of 3)
• Explain Major Methods of Contraception
– Anyone who is considering becoming sexually active
and who is not intentionally trying to conceive a child
needs accurate and specific information about
contraceptive methods.
– This includes adolescents; without adequate information,
they cannot make responsible decisions.
– Over 99 percent of American women aged 15 to 44 who
have been sexually active have used at least one type of
contraceptive method.

14. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-7 (2 of 3)
• The Pill
– The Birth Control Patch and Vaginal Ring
– Depo-Provera Injections
– Hormonal Implants
– Emergency Contraception (EC)
– Vaginal Spermicides
– Condoms for Men
– The Female Condom

15. Copyright © 2019 Cengage. All Rights Reserved.
LO 6-7 (3 of 3)
– The Diaphragm and Cervical Cap
– The Birth Control Sponge
– The IUD (Intrauterine Device)
– Withdrawal
– Fertility Awareness Methods
– Sterilization
– Contraceptive Methods of the Future