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ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
Adolescence, the
years between puberty and adulthood, can be divided into three stages: early
adolescence (generally ages 12-13); middle adolescence (ages 14-16), and
late adolescence (ages 17-21). In addition to physical changes, adolescents
also experience seven key intellectual, psychological and social
developmental tasks.
TASKS OF ADOLESCENCE
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Learning to feel
comfortable with their bodies.
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Becoming
emotionally independent from their parents.
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Learning to think
and express themselves conceptually.
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Developing a
personal set of values: ideals, priorities, concepts of right and wrong.
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Forming meaningful
relationships with members of both sexes.
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Defining their
sexual orientation, and deciding whether or not to become sexually active.
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Working toward
economic stability.
Physical
Development
Puberty is defined as the biological changes of adolescence. Physiological
growth is generally complete by mid-adolescence; that is, they are close to
their adult height and weight and are physically capable of having babies.
Intellectual Development
Most boys and girls enter adolescence perceiving the world in concrete
terms; that is, things are either right or wrong and they rarely see beyond
the present, which explains why younger teens are unable to consider the
long-term consequences of their actions.
By late adolescence, many teens can appreciate subtleties of situations and
ideas and are capable of projecting into the future. Their capacity to solve
complex problems and to sense what others are thinking has improved.
However, they are still relatively inexperience in life and are apt to apply
these new skills erratically and may act without thinking.
Emotional Development
One of the most important tasks of adolescence is to become emotionally
independent of parents. This transition toward autonomy can take myriad
forms; for example, less overt affection, more time spent with friends,
contentious behavior and pushing the limits, to name a few. At the same
time, adolescents frequently feel conflicted about leaving the safety and
security of home. One day they may crave your attention, the next they may
act like they don't want to be around you.
Social Development
Until adolescence, a child's life focuses mainly on their family. But when
they reach their teens, they begin to form friendships with members of the
same sex, the opposite sex, different social and ethnic groups and other
adults, like a favorite teacher or youth leader. Eventually, teenagers
develop the capacity to form romantic relationships and fall in love.
Not all teenagers enter and exit adolescence at the same age or display the
same behaviors. What's more, a teen can be farther along in some areas of
development than in others. A 15-year-old may physically resemble an adult
but still act very much like a child because it isn't until late adolescence
that intellectual, emotional and social development begin to catch up with
physical development.
Because adolescents are developing in so many different ways and each one is
unique, their behavior can be confusing to parents. You daughter can accuse
you of treating her "like a baby" and within the same hour act exasperated
that you would expect her to help clear the table.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics |
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