“Problems faced by adolescents are not problems in themselves but symptoms of other larger problems”. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Explain your answer with reasons and examples. Draw upon our discussions in class for the same.
2500-3000 words
ADOLESCENCE AND RELATED ISSUES
Megha R.
UG2
SOCY202
Contents/Topics I will be covering:
Definitions + Excerpt
The Stage of Adolescence + Who is an Adolescent?
Characteristics of Adolescence
Stages of Adolescence
Social Changes
What are recognized as issues under adolescent/adolescence?
Theories
Definitions of Adolescence
“Plato (1953) described adolescent boys as constantly arguing and very easily excited.
Aristotle (1941) described adolescents as “lacking in sexual self-restraint, fickle in their desires, passionate and impulsive”.
“Childhood and adolescence were regarded as two sides of the same coin” (Dubasa et al, 2003).
Rousseau described adolescence as “A change in humour, frequent anger, a mind in constant agitation, makes the child almost unmanageable. His feverishness turns him into a lion. He disregards his guide; he no longer wishes to be governed.” (Rousseau, 1911)
“A controversial book arguing that teenagers are a social group into themselves, different from children and adults in their interests and values. Coleman claims that young people value athletic prowess rather than academic achievement, and that they have unrealistic expectations for their future careers”.
(Coleman, James S. 1961. Adolescent society: The social life of the teenager and its impact on education. New York: Free Press.)
“ADOLESCENCE”+“ADOLESCENT”
Period marking the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Phase and stage of life spanning across the ages 10-19.
According to WHO(2017), an adolescent is any person lying between the ages of 10-19.
Characteristics of Adolescence
5 main characteristics that generally apply amongst all adolescents:
Biological growth and development
Undefined Status
Increased Decision Making
Increased Pressures
Search for “SELF”
Stages of Adolescence
5 main stages in broad, out of which 3 of them are widely discussed:
Early Adolescence(10-13 yrs.)
Middle Adolescence(14-17 yrs.)
Late Adolescence(18-21…and BEYOND!!)
Social Changes
The mode of interaction and communication changes depending upon the audience.
Searching for our “identity”
Seeking more independence and responsibility.
Thinking more about the differentiation between what is right and wrong.
Consciousness regarding their “desirable, social” image.
Developing and exploring a sexual identity
Seeking for new experiences
Peer Pressure
State of Confusion
Issues
The way adolescence is perceived differs from strata to strata.
Mental Health
Body shaming>Insecurities>Judgements
Consciousness of “Image”
Approval and Validation(being recognized and approved)
Unwanted Teen Pregnancies
Need for more awareness and education of “SEX”
Substance Abuse
Theories of Adolescence
Organized into 6 groups:
Biological
Psychoanalytical
Psychosocial
Social-Cultural
Cognitive
Field
References
Adolescent development. (2017, May 09). Retrieved September 26, 2020, from https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/adolescence/development/en/.
https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/social-and-emotional-changes-adolescence-teens
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4543091/
https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii
https://www.ukessays.com/essays/psychology/theories-of-adolescence.php