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Research Profile: Adolescence

blntmaker

on June 22, 2007

Adolescence is a developmental stage of growth that begins around the age of 11 to the late teens (about 19 years old) where significant social, physiological, cognitive and biological changes occur in boys and girls. This stage of transistion happens between late childhood and early adulthood. Adolescents are considered the "pre-teen/'tween" and "teenage" set.

Though there is no exact timeline for hallmarks in this "phase", adolescents often go through a variety of dramatic changes during the course of this stage. Particularly to note, the varied differences in growth between boys and girls.

Socially, both sexes have a stronger perception of world views, seeking rewards by way of hard work (i.e. having a job for pay), moreover, seeking peer approval (or in some cases disapproval) for behavior.

To some extent, being with peers allows many adolescents to seek an identity for themselves. Discovering their talents and using them to segue into a future career. There is also a greater need for independence; separation from being under the supervision of parents.

Cognitively, both sexes have a greater understanding of right and wrong, and thus, the consequences of behavior. The difference often between both boys and girls lie with boys exhibiting in high risk behavior.

Psychologically, both sexes develop an "adult-like" mentality. Emphasis is placed on seeking comfort and confidence in a world view. There is a greater realistic perception of fears and anxiety on both small and large scales.

By way of puberty, boys and girls go through significant changes biological. For both sexes, it is the advent of manhood and womanhood; girls (i.e. menstruation, development of breasts); boys (i.e. greater fast muscle development, facial hair, unexplained control of sexual thought and phallic fuction).

Throughout the process of this development stage, adolescent can be quite welcoming to some, yet unsettling to the majority. All these changes beg questions from youth to adults and often leads to confusion if not answer intelligibly.

Nonetheless, the adolescent stage remains a milestone in human development in that, it molds a child for their adult years. That said, the adolescent stage is essential due to the fact that it always plays a key factor for positive progress when it comes to social change around the world.