1. Sociology: Chapter 6-1 The Adolescent in Society
“Adolescence in Society”
Standards: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.11, 5.4

2. Adolescence in Society
Concept of Adolescence:
Present creation: Creation of Industrial Society
Adolescence: Period between normal onset of Puberty and beginning of adulthood
Puberty: Physical maturing that makes someone capable of reproduction
*Ages 13 to 21
Has become phenomenon in past years
Three Factors:
1. Education
2. Exclusion of youth from labor force
3. Development of Judicial System

3. Characteristics of Adolescence
1. Biological Growth (80% develop Acne)
2. Undefined Status (not a child; not an adult) Read p. 122 “Blurring of Adolescence)
3. Increased decision making (College?)
4. Increased Pressure (Peers vs. Parents)
5. Search for Self (Prepare for future)
-Who am I… Really?
-Anticipatory Socialization: Learning rights, obligations, and expectations of a role in preparing for assuming that role at a future date
-Dating, Part-time job, and school
Culture can also have a huge impact

4. Societies with no concept of adolescence
Ndembu of Zambia
Go straight from childhood to adulthood
Puberty Rite: ceremonies that mark the transition from childhood to adulthood
-Demonstrations of Strength
-Filing of the Teeth
-Tatooing of skin
Age 13/14: Can marry
Carry Households

5. “Teenagers and Dating”
Sociology: Chapter 6-2
“Teenagers and Dating”

6. Teenagers and Dating Well known in U.S. -Not a universal phenomenon
Ex: Arranged marriages
*Very recent phenomenon (Post WWI)
Pre-Dating in the U.S.
-Courtship: Express purpose is eventual marriage
-very formal and structured
-supervised by adults 100% of the time
Past:
Marriage: Timed by age at which a man acquired property necessary to support family

7. Industrial Revolution
Casual Dating emerged at the same time as the Industrial Revolution
-People move to city
-Child Labor Laws
-Free Public Education
-Technology: Telephone
*Young people had more time and were put into situations where they began to come into contact with other young people of the opposite sex

8. Why Date?
Homogamy: Tendency for individuals to marry people who have social characteristics similar to their own
Willer Waller: Dating was a form of recreation that has little to do with mate selection
1. Mate selection
2. Recreation: (Waller)
3. Mechanism of Socialization
4. Psychological Needs
Conversation, Companionship, Understanding
*Attain Status

9. Dating Patterns Traditional:
-Responsibility fell to male (Ask parents; Money)
-Ritualized
-Structured rules
-Set Activities (Movies…etc)
-Began Casually
-Moves to “Going Steady”

10. Dating Patterns Contemporary: Present -Teenagers more spontaneous
-Male and female initiate dates
-Relationships based on “group”
Exception:
-Court at 16: Boys
-14 Girls
-No Amish divorces yet
Read p. 133: “Themes in Popular Songs”