Adolescence in Our Society

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Adolescence in Our Society

• Chapter 5 Section 1

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Adolescence v. Puberty

• Adolescence the period between the normal onset
  of puberty and the beginning of adulthood.
• Puberty the physical maturing that makes an
  individual capable of sexual reproduction.
• Adolescence does not exist in all societies.
  Puberty is a universal phenomenon.

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The Concept of Adolescence

• Many pre-industrial societies have young people
  go directly from childhood to adulthood.
• Participate in formal ceremonies known as puberty
  rites.
• Adolescence did not exist in the United States
  before the Civil War.

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3 Factors Leading To Adolescence as a Life Stage

• Education state laws make education mandatory to
  at least 16. Causes students to be dependent on
  others for longer periods of time.
• Exclusion from labor force most states have
  child labor laws that prevent people from working
  until age 16.
• Juvenile-justice system created a separate legal
  status for young people.

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5 Characteristics of Adolescence (Overview)

• Biological growth and development
• Undefined status
• Increased decision making
• Increased pressures
• Search for Self

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Biological Growth and Development

• Puberty is universal because it is biological,
  not cultural
• Growth spurts, changes in body proportions
• Development of primary and secondary sexual
  characteristics
• Pre-frontal cortex not fully developed (controls
  decision making and emotions)

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Undefined Status

• No clear expectations for adolescent behavior
• Sometimes treated as children, other times as
  adults
• Differing attitudes re teens (clothes you wear,
  music you listen to, etc.)

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Increased Decision Making

• Children have decisions made for them
• Adolescents make lots of short term and long term
  decisions
• Short term What to wear? Who to date? What
  sports to play?
• Long term What college to attend? What career
  path?

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Increased Pressure

• Pressure comes from many different directions
• Parents strict rules vs. more independence
• Peers be part of the in group, follow trends
  and fashions
• School go to classes, do well on tests,
  graduate, participate
• Relationships, jobs also create pressure

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Search for Self

• Developing own set of values, personal norms and
  priorities
• Anticipatory socialization learning the rights,
  obligations and expectations of a role to prepare
  for assuming that role in the future.
• Examples part-time jobs, dating

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Other Contributing Factors

• Economic status
• Ethnicity
• Religion
• Location
• Family Composition
• All of these and more contribute to unique
  adolescent experiences.