Adolescent Development

Adolescent Development

The adolescent is described as the process of development (a transition) which takes place between the period of childhood and when an individual becomes an adult. Different changes occur as a child is in her or his adolescent stage. It starts and ends from around (10-21) years. As a result, parents must take the initiative of acknowledging themselves on the changes which occur because it is beneficial to the sound development of their kids. Additionally, the knowledge about adolescent development is not only limited to parents but also all concerned personalities such as guardians and entities such as schools just mentioning a little. Indeed, adolescents are also supposed to educate themselves so that they can be able to cope up with various problems which affect them. Some of the changes undergone by adolescents include social development, personality development, intellectual development, and also physical development. Adolescent development is characterized by various concepts and theories which are critical in helping parents to cope with challenges which they face as their kids are in the teenage stage.

Developmental Period of Adolescence

Early Adolescent

It is the first stage of an adolescent. It occurs between 10-14 years. It is at this stage where puberty takes place. The primary concern at this stage is physical appearance because it is characterized by rapidly changing body appearances. The experiences include greater interest in privacy, modesty, blushing, and shyness. Due to the state of invincibility experienced at this stage, the subjects are prone to risky behaviors such as alcohol use and smoking. Besides, it is also characterized by sexual curiosity hence making some of the subjects to admire musicians, idols, and celebrities. Family relationships start to fade while they focus more on close friend indulgences. They also realize that their parents cannot be infallible, something which makes them start identifying personal faults and showing behaviors that are acting out.

Middle Adolescence

It is the next stage of adolescent development, and it occurs from the ages of 15-17. Teens in this stag focus more on their looks because they feel that the other people are concerned about how they look. As a result, they spend some considerable time while exercising, grooming, and changing their physical body appearances. Sexual attractiveness and relationships are a significant worry in this stage. They withdraw from their parents because they feel that they are preventing them from being independent people. Some of the behaviors of asserting the changes include refusing bathing, cleaning clothes, and rooms, amongst other annoying actions. Peer groups are intense in this stage.  Because of the feeling of being invincible, risk-taking behaviors are dominant in this stage.

Late Adolescent

It is the last stage of adolescent development, which is characterized by full physical maturity. Most of the thinking in this stage is abstract. The subjects focus on having significant plans for their future. Besides, there is also a sufficient understanding of how different decisions and choices have a profound impact on their future. Planning and following term goals is also another significant aspect of this stage. The subjects are also comfortable with the image of their bodies. The people are Talso satisfied with the picture of their bodies because they are mature enough. More importantly, moral and ethical rights are also a significant characteristic in this stage. It is also critical to note that the relationships in this stage shift from guardians, parents, and peers to a more equal and positive relationship. When it comes to values and decisions, the subjects are less influenced because they act towards favoring individual relationships. There are also balanced and mutual sexual relations where the partners are chosen depending on personal choices.

fundamental Theories related to Adolescence

Biological Theories

The physical changes which occur during puberty are the core changes in the adolescent stage. Indeed, research implicates that there is a close relationship that takes place during the psychological and physical development stages. The hormonal changes which are experienced in this case are responsible for the behavior and emotional changes, and there is a relationship about how the community at large reacts to the physical changes. Hall is a theorist who argues that this stage is filled by stress and storm, and that is why he recalls it as the “second birth.” The other influential theorist in this theory is Gesell, who viewed the development in this stage as unfolding behaviors and physical structures dictated by the biological blueprint.

Psychoanalytic Theories

This theory was put forward by Freud. According to Freud, the goal of the adolescent genital stage was developing the capacity to form mature and healthy heterosexual relationships in adulthood. Sexual impulses in the latency period reappear intensely. Superego, ego, and id add strain, thus causing emotional turmoil and psychological conflict. The other theorist in this stage is Peter Blos emphasizes the other individual process, which stipulates that the development in adolescence is critical in creating a permanent structure of personality.

Psychosocial Theories

It includes the process of developing ego and searching for an identity. The life span theory by Erick Erickson was considered as a significant influence of theorizing and research on adolescence. He took a critical step in modifying the approach in different essential ways. He argued that sexual drives (biological) are connected with the expectations, beliefs, and various institutions of the community. The other theorists, in this case, are Marcia, who supports commitment (degree of personal investment), crisis, and choosing alternative beliefs and occupations. Other theories include social, cultural theories (anthropology and social learning), field theory put forward by Lewin and cognitive theories by Piaget, Selman, Kohlberg, and David Elkind.

Nature/nurture, continuity/discontinuity, and early/late experience have a significant effect on adolescent development and classroom learning. These forces influencing growth in the teenage stage include the impact of the social context, family, peers, neighborhood, school, and the broader community at large. Indeed, these elements have a significant influence on defining the emotions and behavior of the subjects.  More importantly, the impact of peers and family in this stage cannot be tied with other scientific disciplines such as psychology, psychiatry, or medicine and how they interact with sociological and anthropological research. It is a critical point that enables it to be studied differently on its own in the classroom where its implications are needed most. Several psychoanalysts, such as Erickson, have been playing a critical role in establishing the relationship between the community and adolescence. Providing reliable and warm parental care together with fostering positive communication can help young people to become make healthy and valuable life decisions. Encouraging independent expressions and thoughts, nurturing positive relationships, and showing genuine interests to the subjects at the adolescent stage is mission-critical in creating personality and responsible human beings. It can be argued that better investigations are essential in determining the protective factors and hidden risks that are critical in solving complex situations in the community.