Adolescent development
The
development of children ages 12 through 18 years old is expected to include predictable physical and
mental milestones.
Alternative Names
Development
- adolescent; Growth and development - adolescent
Information
During
adolescence, children develop the ability to:
·
Understand
abstract ideas, such as higher math concepts, and develop moral philosophies,
including rights and privileges
·
Establish
and maintain satisfying relationships by learning to share intimacy without
feeling worried or inhibited
·
Move toward
a more mature sense of themselves and their purpose
·
Question old
values without losing their identity
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
During
adolescence, young people go through many changes as they move from childhood
into physical maturity. Early, prepubescent changes occur when the secondary
sexual characteristics appear.
Girls:
·
Girls may
begin to develop breast buds as early as 8 years old. Breasts develop fully between ages 12 and 18.
·
Pubic hair,
armpit and leg hair usually begin to grow at about age 9 or 10, and reach
adult patterns at about 13 to 14 years.
·
Menarche
(the beginning of menstrual periods) typically occurs about 2 years after early breast and pubic hair appear. It may occur as
early as age 9, or as late
as age 16. The average
age of menstruation in the United States is about 12 years.
·
Girls growth
spurt peaks around age 11.5 and slows
around age 16.
Boys:
·
Boys may
begin to notice that their testicles and scrotum grow as early as age 9. Soon, the penis begins to lengthen. By age 17 or 18, their
genitals are usually at their adult size and shape.
·
Pubic hair
growth -- as well as armpit, leg, chest, and facial hair -- begins in boys at
about age 12, and
reaches adult patterns at about 17 to 18 years.
·
Boys do not
start puberty with a sudden incident, like the beginning of menstrual periods
in girls. Having regular nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) marks the beginning
of puberty in boys. Wet dreams typically start between ages 13 and 17, with the
average at about 14.5 years.
·
Boys' voices
change at the same time as the penis grows. Nocturnal emissions occur with the
peak of the height spurt.
·
Boys growth
spurt peaks around age 13.5 and slows
around age 18.
BEHAVIOR
The
sudden and rapid physical changes that adolescents go through make adolescents
very self-conscious, sensitive, and worried about their own body changes. They
may make painful comparisons about themselves with their peers.
Because
physical changes may not occur in a smooth, regular schedule, adolescents may
go through awkward stages, both about their appearance and physical
coordination. Girls may be anxious if they are not ready for the beginning of
their menstrual periods. Boys may worry if they do not know about nocturnal
emissions.
During
adolescence, it is normal for young people to begin to separate from their
parents and establish their own identity. In some cases, this may occur without
a problem from their parents and other family members. However, in some
families, the adolescent's rebellion may lead to conflict as the parents try to
keep control.
As
adolescents pull away from their parents in a search for their own identity,
their friends become more important.
·
Their peer
group may become a safe haven, in which the adolescent can test new ideas.
·
In early
adolescence, the peer group usually consists of non-romantic friendships, often
including "cliques," gangs, or clubs. Members of the peer group often
try to act alike, dress alike, have secret codes or rituals, and participate in
the same activities.
·
As the youth
moves into mid-adolescence (14 to 16 years) and
beyond, the peer group expands to include romantic friendships.
In
mid- to late adolescence, young people often feel the need to establish their
sexual identity by becoming comfortable with their body and sexual feelings.
Through romantic friendships, dating, and experimenting, adolescents learn to
express and receive intimate or sexual advances. Young people who do not have
the opportunity for such experiences may have more difficulty with intimate
relationships when they are adults.
Adolescents
usually have behaviors that are consistent with several myths of adolescence:
·
The first
myth is that they are "on stage" and other people's attention is
constantly centered on their appearance or actions. This normal
self-centeredness may appear (especially to adults) to border on paranoia,
self-love (narcissism), or even hysteria.
·
Another myth
of adolescence is the idea that "it will never happen to me, only the
other person." "It" may represent becoming pregnant or catching
a sexually-transmitted disease after having unprotected sex, causing a car
crash while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or any of the many
other negative effects of risk-taking behaviors.
SAFETY
Adolescents
become stronger and more independent before they've developed good
decision-making skills. A strong need for peer approval may entice a young
person to try dangerous feats, or take part in risk-taking behaviors.
Motor
vehicle safety should be stressed, focusing on the roles of the
driver/passenger / pedestrian, the risks of substance abuse, and the importance
of using seat belts. Adolescents should not have the privilege of using cars
and recreational motor vehicles unless they can show that they can use these
vehicles safely.
Other
safety issues are:
·
Adolescents
who are involved in sports should learn to use equipment and protective gear or
clothing. They should be taught the rules of safe play and healthy approaches
to activities that require more advanced skills.
·
Young people
need to be very aware of possible dangers -- including sudden death -- which
may occur with regular substance abuse, and with the experimental use of drugs
and alcohol.
·
Adolescents
who are allowed to use or have access to firearms need to learn how to use them
safely, properly, and legally.
If
adolescents appear to be isolated from their peers, uninterested in school or
social activities, or doing poorly at school, work, or sports -- they need to
be evaluated.
Many
adolescents are at increased risk for depression and potential suicide
attempts, because of pressures and conflicts in their family, school or social
organizations, peer groups, and intimate relationships.
PARENTING TIPS ABOUT SEXUALITY
Adolescents
usually need privacy to understand the changes taking place in their bodies.
Ideally, they should be allowed to have their own bedroom. If this is not
possible, they should have at least some private space.
Teasing
an adolescent child about physical changes is inappropriate, because it may cause
self-consciousness and embarrassment.
Parents
need to remember that it is natural and normal for their adolescent to be
interested in body changes and sexual topics. It does not mean that their child
is involved in sexual activity.
Adolescents
may experiment with or consider a wide range of sexual orientations or
behaviors before feeling comfortable with their own sexual identity. Parents
must be careful not to call new behaviors "wrong," "sick,"
or "immoral."
The
Oedipal complex (a child's attraction to the parent of the opposite sex) is
common during the adolescent years. Parents can deal with this by acknowledging
the child's physical changes and attractiveness -- and taking pride in the
youth's growth into maturity -- without crossing parent-child boundaries.
It is
normal for the parent to find the adolescent attractive, especially because the
teen often looks very much like the other (same-sex) parent did at a younger
age. This attraction may cause the parent to feel awkward. The parent should be
careful not to create a disconnect that may make the adolescent feel
responsible. It is inappropriate for a parent's attraction to a child to be
anything more than an attraction as a parent. Attraction that crosses the
parent-child boundaries may lead to inappropriately intimate behavior with the
adolescent, which is known as incest.
INDEPENDENCE AND POWER STRUGGLES
The
teenager's quest to become independent is a normal part of development. The
parent should not see it as a rejection or loss of control over the child.
Parents need to be constant and consistent. They should be available as a
sounding board for the youth's ideas, without dominating the child's newly
independent identity.
Although
adolescents always challenge authority figures, they need or want limits, which
provide a safe boundary for them to grow and function. Limit-setting means
having pre-set rules and regulations about their behavior.
Power
struggles begin when authority is at stake or "being right" is the
main issue. These situations should be avoided, if possible. One of the parties
(typically the teen) will be overpowered, causing the youth to lose face. This
can cause the adolescent to feel embarrassed, inadequate, resentful, and
bitter.
Parents
should be ready for and recognize common conflicts that may develop while
parenting adolescents. The experience may be affected by unresolved issues from
the parent's own childhood, or from the adolescent's early years.
Parents
should know that their adolescents will repeatedly challenge their authority.
Keeping open lines of communication and clear, yet negotiable, limits or
boundaries may help reduce major conflicts.
Most
parents feel like they have more wisdom and self-growth as they rise to the
challenges of parenting adolescents.
Psycho-social Challenges and
Problems of Adolescence
Adolescents due to the developmental crisis that they are prone to face
a myriad of psychosocial challenges. Among the major challenges are:
·
Drug
and alcohol abuse
·
Early
pregnancy
·
Sexually
transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS
Whom to
contact for Adolescence Counseling & Treatment
Dr. Senthil Kumar is well experienced Psychologist who
treats many cases of Adolescence Problems with successful outcomes. Many of the
clients get relief after attending psychological counseling with him. Dr.
Senthil Kumar visits Vivekanantha Homeopathy Clinic & Psychological
Counseling Center, Velachery,
Chennai 42. To get appointment please call 9786901830, +91 94430 54168 or mail
to consult.ur.dr@gmail.com,
The
“Psychologist” Psychological Counseling Centre’s at
Chennai:- 9786901830
Panruti:- 9443054168
Pondicherry:- 9865212055 (Camp)
For appointment please Call us or Mail
Us
For appointment: SMS your Name -Age – Mobile Number -
Problem in Single word - date and day - Place of appointment (Eg: Rajini -
99xxxxxxx0 – Adolescence Personal Counseling – 21st Oct, Sunday -
Chennai), You will receive Appointment details through SMS
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