The transitional period between puberty and adulthood in human development, extending mainly over the teen years and terminating legally when the age of majority is reached i.e. youth.
Adolescence can be defined biologically as the physical transition marked by the onset of puberty and the termination of the physical growth; cognitively it is viewed as changes in the ability to think abstractly and multi-dimensionally; and socially as a period of preparation for adult roles. It begins around 10, 11 or 12 years with variations existing among cultures and societies. However it concludes between 18-21 years of age. This is the stage we call the secondary school stage (11-18years).
According to Sigmund and Anna Freud, the adolescence stage is a turbulent stage of development because of the dramatic physiological and biological changes that takes place at this stage. It activates in the individual so many drives including the aggressive and sexual drives which were dormant during the latency stage. One of the difficulties the teenage experiences at this stage is the inability to be with the parents. Another great challenge for the adolescent as pointed out by Erikson is the increase in drive energy which may be disruptive, confusion also set in especially those poised by social conflicts and demands. The crisis is that of identity versus role confusion.
Conflicts arise between parents and children due to detachment during middle adolescence (age 14-15 years). But these conflicts eventually help in establishment of an independent identity. They develop their individual set of beliefs and values. By late adolescence (ages 16 onwards) the adolescents who are able to cope with conflicts with parents develop a ‘new sense of self’. Self dependence and a sense of responsibility become apparent. They develop a stable sense of identity and place in the society. They develop an identity distinct from their parents. However, those who are not able to cope with identity crisis end up in ‘identity confusion’. The Identity formation during adolescence is influenced by many factors like family and societal values, cultural & ethnic background and the socioeconomic status. Family dependence and relationships diminish and they develop a strong need for peer support and acceptance. With greater interactions with peers their social skills are enhanced & social and sexual behaviors refined. They are able to establish relationship with the opposite sex. Greater the adolescents’ conflict with their parents, greater the identification with their peers. By the time they are in late adolescence the adolescents are psychologically integrated, have developed a fairly consistent view of the outside world, they have set realistic goal in life and by now have discovered their role in the society.
If these remarkable events take place in the life of every teenager, a period of secondary foundation that leads to adulthood, a period where life goals are set…
My question is: why do we say life begins at 40 ?(imagine a 40years in primary school or even in secondary school)
Guest Post
Abalike Agbo is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, presently studying psychology at the Institute of Psychology of Pontifical Gregorian University Rome-Italy
