Discuss developmental tasks and challenges being experienced during adolescence (A Learning Competency)

In this free lecture, let us discuss developmental tasks and challenges being experienced during adolescence. According to psychologists, what are these developmental tasks and challenges?

Aging expert and scholar Robert James Havighurst explained that developmental task is that “which is learned at a specific point and which makes achievement of succeeding tasks possible. When the timing is right, the ability to learn a particular task will be possible.” (Havighurst, n.d.)

Teenagers need to accomplish certain developmental tasks, especially when they reach middle and late adolescence. They must also be able to classify various developmental tasks according to developmental stage.

Discuss developmental tasks and challenges being experienced during adolescence (A Learning Competency

Professor Robert James Havighurst identified eight (8) developmental tasks that teenagers need to accomplish in order to be happy and well-adjusted. They are the following:

TASK 1: To achieve new and more mature relations with peers of both sexes.

TASK 2:  To adopt socially approved masculine or feminine adult roles.

TASK 3:  To accept your physical self and to use your body effectively.

TASK 4:  To achieve emotional independence.

TASK 5:  To develop your personal attitude toward marriage and family living.

TASK 6:  To select and prepare for an occupation.

TASK 7:  To acquire a set of standards as a guide to behavior.

TASK 8:  To accept and adopt socially responsible behavior.

For the detailed discussions on these developmental tasks and challenges being experienced during adolescence, read: Robert James Havighurst: Ang 8 Gawaing Pampag-unlad (Developmental Tasks)

Evaluate one’s development in comparison with other persons of the same age group

In his lecture, Filipino professor and textbook author Jensen DG. Mañebog suggests the following activity in relation to Robert James Havighurst’s eight (8) developmental tasks.

This activity aims to enable you, adolescents, to reflect on yourselves and to figure out whether or not you have already accomplished the developmental tasks related to adolescence.

At the same time, this activity will raise your awareness on the developmental tasks and challenges being experienced during adolescence, especially if you pay attention to the guide question/s for each item.

Procedure:

According to your self-assessment, check the appropriate column relative to the eight (8) developmental tasks discussed above.  

Developmental Tasks by R. HavighurstNot YetIn the ProcessYes
  1. To achieve new and more mature relations with peers of both sexes.   Can you interact with fellow adolescents of both sexes in more matured ways?     
  2. To adopt socially approved masculine or feminine adult roles.   Have you adopted an approved gender role for you?   
  3. To accept your physical self and to use your body effectively.   Have you accepted the bodily changes that go with adolescence? Are you at ease with your new body physique?     
  4. To achieve emotional independence.   Have you already achieved emotional self-reliance? Do you carefully analyze options and consequences before exhibiting an emotion or coming up with a decision?   
  5. To develop your personal attitude toward marriage and family living.   Have you accepted that sooner or later you shall enter a married life and have children? Have you acquired basic knowledge about entering married life, building a family, and child rearing?     
  6. To select and prepare for an occupation.   Are career goals part of your personal goals? Are you preparing for a career in the future?     
  7. To acquire a set of standards as a guide to behavior.   Have you identified some principles in life to live by or selected models to imitate? Have you set your priorities in life and clarified your hierarchy of personal priorities?   
  8. To accept and adopt socially responsible behavior.   Are you aware of the socially accepted behaviors in your society? Have you adopted them in your actions and behavior? Do you subscribe to the socially accepted set of values and morals?   

Discussion/Sharing:

Prof. Jensen DG. Mañebog suggests that if you are in a class, you may do the following.

Pair up with a classmate (preferably your friend). Compare your answers with his or hers. Answer the following guide questions:

1. Who got more checks under ‘Yes’? Who got more checks under ‘In the Process’?

2. What have you realized about yourself upon answering the questionnaire?

3. Do you think you are accomplishing the developmental tasks which are expected of you?

4. Do you think you are developing in a pace similar to those of other persons of your age group?

For the Filipino/Tagalog version of this activity and lecture, read: Pagtataya sa Sariling Pag-unlad: Paghahambing sa Kaparehong Gulang at ang 8 Gawaing Pampag-unlad (developmental task) ni Robert James Havighurst

Some advices to adolescents

Concerning the topic, Prof. Jensen DG. Mañebog has the following advice to adolescents:

“You need to understand that the discussed developmental tasks that you need to accomplish may be taxing and demanding but they are essential and necessary. Performing them will grant you, among other things, the opportunities to become responsible for your own actions and behaviors and be accountable for the consequences of your decisions and mistakes.  

“Also remember that you need the guidance and support of your parents, guardians, older siblings, and mentors to accomplish well the developmental tasks. Do not be hesitant to seek for advices, counsels, and supports from them especially when you encounter confusion and dilemmas. (Related: What is Moral Dilemma (And the Three Levels of Moral Dilemmas)

“Paradoxically speaking, you need to maintain a good relationship with your parents while practicing to be somewhat independent from them. Despite the occurrence of conflicts between you and your parents, you have to remember that they still play irreplaceable roles in your lives. They could help you a lot to become responsible and productive adults in the near future.”

Copyright © 2013-present by Prof. Jensen DG. Mañebog & MyInfoBasket.com

Note: Teachers may share this as a reading assignment of their students. For other free lectures like this (especially for students), visit Homepage: Personal Development

*Free lectures on the subject Pansariling Kaunlaran

Read also: The Colorful Love Affairs of Dr. Jose Rizal by Jensen DG. Mañebog

Related Article/s:

Show the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in actual life situations (A Learning Competency)

Evaluate His/Her Own Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors (A Learning Competency)

Discuss the Relationship among Physiological, Cognitive, Psychological, Spiritual, and Social Development

Share His/Her Unique Characteristics, Habits, and Experiences (Why and How)

Explain that knowing oneself can make a person accept his/her strengths and limitations and dealing with others better

Evaluate His/Her Own Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors (Why and How)

Mga Libreng Lektura para sa Pansariling Kaunlaran:

Pagbabahagi ng natatanging katangian, pag-uugali, at mga karanasan

Mga Saloobin, Damdamin, at Pag-uugali: Isang Aktibidad (Class Activity)

Ang Aking Pagkaunawa sa Aking Iniisip, Nadarama, at Ikinikilos: Halimbawang Aktibidad

Mga Pagbabago sa Panahon ng Adolescence: Mga Aspeto ng Pag-unlad sa Buong Katauhan

Also read: The Interesting Tales of the Jose Rizal Family by Jensen DG. Mañebog