Sociology: The study of human relationships Chapter 6 The Adolescent in Society Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society Section 2: Teenagers and Dating Section 3: Challenges of Adolescence

Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society Objectives: Explain how adolescence developed as a distinct stage of the life cycle in the United States Identify the five general characteristics of adolescence

How Adolescence Developed as a Stage of the Life Cycle Through Education – children stay in school longer; extended period of dependence Through Work – laws restricted child labor, also increasing length of dep3endence Through Courts – juvenile-justice system legally distinguished between youth and adults

Five General Characteristics of Adolescence Biological Growth and Development – various biological changes such as changes in body proportions and acne Undefined Status – adolescent expectations are often vague Increased Decision Making – must make some of their own decisions

Five General Characteristics of Adolescence Increased Pressure – adolescents are faced with pressure from many sources The Search for self – deciding what is really important

Section 2: Teenagers and Dating Objectives: Summarize how dating developed as a form of social interaction Describe the functions that dating fulfills

Development of Dating Industrial Revolution – people moved from the farms to the cities where young adults could gain more economic freedom and their own home. As a result, parental control over young adults and courtship decreased. Public Education – by the 1900’s most secondary school students attended coeducational public schools which increased interaction between boys and girls.

Development of Dating Automobile – young adults had more freedom of movement away from parents Telephone – young adults could more easily talk to members of the opposite sex Equality of Women – more women entered the workforce and took on more active community roles which increased the interaction between single adult men and women

Functions of Dating Serves as a form of entertainment Is a means of socialization that teaches people about the opposite sex Fills psychological needs such as companionship Helps individuals attain status as people are judged in part by whom they date Aids in spouse selection

Section 3: Challenges of Adolescence Objectives: Identify some of the social problems facing contemporary teenagers. Trace the causes and consequences of these problems

Social Problems of Contemporary Teenagers Teenage Sexual Behavior Teenage Drug Use Teenage Suicide

Causes and consequences of contemporary Problems – Sexual Behavior Cause – loosening of norms concerning sexuality; low-income, one-parent families Consequence – teenage pregnancy; exposure to or acquiring STD’s such as syphilis or AIDS

Causes an Consequences of Contemporary Problems – Drug Use Cause – dropping out of school; having friends who use drugs; social and academic adjustment problems; hostile and rejecting family setting Consequence – increase in the use of some drugs among teens; increase in drug-related violence

Causes and consequences of Contemporary Problems - Suicide Cause – alcohol or drug use; triggering events such as a family crisis or other trials of adolescence; being female; social isolation, living in an under populated area, bad family environment; cluster effect from publicized suicides Consequence – death; possible cluster effects leading to other teenage suicides; rise in U.S. teenage suicide rate; teen suicide rate now exceeds that for adults