Adolescent Stage of Development: Understanding what is happening among teenagers
The adolescent stage of development means a phase of extreme transformation and growth in an individual which encompass various aspects of development such as physical, mental, social, and emotional (Adolescence, n.d.). Adolescence is considered a drastic shift from childhood to adulthood.
To be in the adolescent stage of development
The word “adolescence” originated from the Latin term ‘adolescere’ which means ‘grow’. The so-called Father of Adolescence, G. Stanley Hall (1844-1924), coined the term “adolescence.” He defined it as “the period of storm and stress of human life.” (Read: How to Overcome Stressful Adolescent Stage)
Adolescent stage of development is a period “characterized by a teenager’s conflict with parents, mood disruptions, and engagement in risky behavior” (Hall, n.d.).
Puberty indicates the start of adolescence, a stage of abundant dramatic changes in the aspects of physiological, behavioral, intellectual, social, and personality development.
The three stages of adolescence
The entire period of adolescence or adolescent stage of development may be approximately divided into three stages:
(a) the early adolescence (approximately 11-14 years of age),
(b) the middle adolescence (approximately 15-17 years of age), and,
(c) the late adolescence (approximately 18-21 years of age)
Strengths and weaknesses of adolescents
Strengths of adolescents include physical strength and health, energy, youthfulness, optimism, courage to try various endeavors, bravery, open-mindedness, good memory, and lack of skepticism.
However, their weaknesses involve insecurity, lack of (or not much) experience, unstable values and identities, low self-concept and self-esteem, and sensitivity. They are prone to hormonal mood swings, confusion, pressures, and expectations from other people around them, like the older ones.
But although their weaknesses seem like to exceed their strengths, to be conscious of what truly is an adolescent and the challenges that come with it may nonetheless help them to be cautious in their decisions and actions.
This will help so that they could easily and successfully pass through this trying stage.
It will also help for adolescents to have a clear self-concept. In school, teachers may ask them, as an activity, to mention and share something about themselves like their desires, wishes, observations, positive traits, weaknesses, interests, and their thoughts and feelings as regards their families (if they wish to do so) and friends. (Read: Ways to Become a Responsible Adolescent Prepared for Adult Life)
(Related: Show the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in actual life situations)
Various developments or changes that happen during adolescent stage of development
The following are some of the common changes or developments that happen to adolescents:
Physical and Physiological Development
In this stage of development, an adolescent experiences various body changes like rapid body growth, hair growth, and muscle modification in some parts of his or her body.
Because of the physiological changes happening inside their body, they amy experience hormonal changes, which may cause, among other things, growing acne. These developments can make adolescents or teenagers feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. (Read: How to really deal with acne)
During adolescence, persons grow to reach their adult height and their bodies start to resemble adult bodies in shape, size, and body composition. These developments make them ready to become physically capable of biological reproduction.
Psychological Development
The various changes happening among adolescents generate further developments, such as in the way they feeland think about themselves, others, and their environment. They are part of so-called psychological development, characterized by changes in their emotions, feelings, moods, and manner of thinking.
During the adolescent stage of development, teenagers go through the process of self-evaluation which leads to long-range goal setting, emotional and social independence, and maturity. These result in a continuing formation of strongly-held beliefs, values, and goals in life.
Adolescents’ psychological development varies based on the sub-stages within adolescence:
(a) During the early stage of adolescence
The change centers on the development of self-image, partially as a result of physical changes. Adolescents in this stage begin to form their respective self-concept by being aware and accepting what they have become physiologically and cognitively.
(b) During the middle stage of adolescence
In the middle stage of adolescence, teenagers tend to lose ties with their parents or guardians and become more independent, particularly in the way they think and feel.
Moreover, adolescents become more adventurous and begin to experiment with a number of things and conducts such as engaging in uncommon and risky activities. Teenagers thus need to check and control their behavior so as not to ruin their future.
There appears also in this stage of development a conflict between their set of values and the one expected by their parents or guardians. Looking on the bright side, they begin to show a sense of responsibility and the desire to find out how they can contribute to the society.
Adolescents also begin to decide on their educational or vocational pursuits and affirm self-dependence. (Read: Some Ways to Become a Responsible Adolescent)
(c) During the late adolescence
In this stage of development, adolescents display a more stable sense of identity. During this phase, they feel more psychologically integrated.
Contrary to their selfish acts and incapacity to delay gratification during their childhood, they start showing concern for others by caring and giving.
At the end of this late adolescence, many of the teenagers would have realized already their tasks in the community, have formed realistic goals in life, and have been in the state of grasping and attaining them.
Cognitive Development
During adolescent stage of development, there is a substantial advancement in teen-agers’ thinking skills. They start to think from concrete to abstract terms and become capable of conceptualizing theoretical ideas.
Adolescents begin to assess problems logically and scientifically. These developments in problem-solving and thinking abilities occur alongside their social, emotional, and moral development. As their brain continues to develop, their aptitude to memorize and accomplish more complex process of information, organization, and retrieval increases.
However, their brain’s frontal lobe which empowers individuals to control their sexual and emotional impulses is not fully developed yet. Thus, there is sustained struggle among youths to contain these impulses amid the incidence of strong emotional, social, or sexual pressures, partially brought about by the physiological development occurring in them.
Social Development
Teen-agers’ call for independence is apparent especially during the middle adolescent stage. Adolescents start to depend more on their friends or peer groups for support than their own family.
This has a downside. Because peer groups become more important to adolescents than their family, they are more prone to peer pressure, as they are expected to fit in to the standards of their friends.
There would be a reinstallation of good relationships with families by late adolescence, as well as an establishment of significant relationships with other people and acquaintances. Where romantic relationship in early adolescence is transitory and fleeting, it becomes comparatively longer and more stable in late adolescence.
Spiritual Development
Teenagers start to have interest in spiritual concerns. Adolescents begin contemplating on questions concerning God, religion, existence, essence, and spirituality. Many would wish to found a personal relationship with God and some would even be fascinated in taking on holy vocations.
Teenagers also begin to ponder on and try to answer the existential questions such as ‘What is the essence of life?,’ ‘Who am I?,’ ‘What brought me here?,’ and ‘What happens after I die?.’
Some adolescents start to earnestly search for answers to questions concerning of life, existence, life meaning, trials, and miseries from the religious, biblical, and spiritual realm. (Read: The Worldview of Atheism)
Conclusion on adolescent stage of development
Due to the various developments and challenges it poses, adolescence is repeatedly deemed as a difficult stage in a person’s life. It is a stage where parent’s or guardian’s role in a teenager’s life is very much crucial due to the inconsistencies in the behavior of an adolescent.
Inescapably however, everyone passes through this stage or passage in order to reach adulthood and attain maturity. (Related: ‘My Imperfect Life’: A teen-ager’s sentiment)
Read also: Pagkilala sa Sarili: Mahalaga sa Pansariling Kaunlaran (Personal Development) ang Adolescence in Tagalog: Kahulugan (meaning and definition), Pagbabago (changes) at Syndrome
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