Adolescent in society CHAPTER 6

Oh adolescence The life stage of adolescence – from about age 12 to 19 – can be a difficult one. Teenagers face an increasing number of decisions, responsbilities, and pressures. In 1999 nearly 50% of high school seniors smoked weed, and almost 65% smoked cigarettes. About 1/3 of teens have sex by 15. Adolescence can be a dangerous period as well, with accidents, homicide, and suicide being the top 3 killers of teens. Sociologists study a number of issues related to adolescence, ranging from the social causes of teen drug use to dating behaviors among teens.

Critical thinking What do you think are some important issues related to adolescence that sociologists should study? Why do you think so many adolescence do drugs, smoke cigarettes, and have sex at such an early age? Do you think society has always been this way? Has it changed recently? Or are we more aware now because of how quickly news diffuses?

6.1 adolescence in our society No longer children…not quite adults Adolescence: period between normal onset of puberty and the beginning of adulthood Puberty: physical maturing that makes an individual capable of sexual reproduction Adolescence does not exist as a concept in many parts of the world Puberty does

Concept of adolescence Beginning and end dates are blurred Puberty Rites Strength, endurance, tattooing or scarring Prior to Civil War, adolescence does not exist Small adults 3 factors to the development of adolescence 1. Education 2. Exclusion from workforce 3. Juvenile-justice system

Characteristics of adolescence BIOLOGICAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Puberty is biological not cultural Growth spurts/weight changes Sexual characteristics Complexion problems

Characteristics of adolescence UNDEFINED STATUS Children and adults have clear expectations Adolescence remains unclear 16 to marry (parental consent 18 to vote/fight

Characteristics of adolescence INCREASED DECISION MAKING Prior to adolescence most decisions are made for you Adolescence = many decisions Courses, sports, clubs, college/career,? Some decisions are of little long-term importance Some are very significant

Characteristics of adolescence INCREASED PRESSURE Parental pressure School, sports, socially, career School pressure Assignments, attendance, extracurriculars Peer pressure “In group”

Characteristics of adolescence SEARCH FOR SELF When people know who they are, what they want out of life, and which values will serve them best…they are in a better position to make the most of adulthood. Anticipatory socialization: learning the rights, obligations, and expectations of a role to prepare for assuming that role in the future Playing house Part time job, club membership, and dating

GO TO BED. SERIOUSLY, BUT NOT NOW YOU NEED MORE SLEEP THAN BABIES ADOLESCENTS REQUIRE ROUGHLY 9 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES OF SLEEP A NIGHT NOTHING “COOL” IS GOING ON WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 12:17 AM SO GO TO BED

Get your timeline on BREAK INTO GROUPS OF NO MORE THAN 4 PEOPLE YOUR JOBS ARE TO USE THE SOCIOLOGY BOOK I GIVE YOU, ALONG WITH THE COMPUTER TO MAKE A TIME LINE OF DATING AMONGST YOUTH STARTING AT THE INDUSTRIAL EVOLUTION TO PRESENT DAY YOU ARE TO INCLUDE: ALL VOCAB WORDS: dating, courtship, homogamy, courtship buggy DATING PATTERNS DATING NORMS/ACTIVITIES/TRADITIONS/UNIQUE THINGS EXPLAIN WHY PEOPLE DATE

Courtship and dating Before dating, interaction was through: Courtship: express purpose is eventual marriage Dating can lead to marriage but casually for entertainment and amusement Courtship much more strict than dating Between steady dating and engagement Young man asked permission, marriage was the intent, under close supervision, rarely left alone

Emergence of dating CAUSE EFFECT INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION People moved from farms to the cities, where young adults could gain more economic freedom and their own homes. As a result, parental control over young adults and courtship decreased. PUBLIC EDUCATION By the 1900s most secondary-school students attended coeducational public schools, which increased interaction between boys and girls. 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.

Gimme yo digits WHY DATE? Entertainment/fun Socialization: learn about opposite sex Fulfills psychological needs: Conversation, companionship, & understanding Attain status: judged by those we date Outta your league gives you the bump Spouse selection

Dating patterns TRADITIONAL Pre 1960’s Arranging the date = man Selecting time, place, activity = man Paying for expenses = man Date night Going steady: class ring, letterman, ID bracelet

Dating patterns CONTEMPORARY Aren’t as many set stages of dating Equality in dating Women now as men Women pay for men or pay for themselves Women being the romantic ones; gifts Women listening to men’s needs

Riddle me this What are some benefits/drawbacks to teen dating? What can be learned from teen dating? If anything? Do males and females view dating differently? If so, how? As a teen, what do you want to get out of dating?

6.3 Challenges of adolescence New challenges exist that didn’t in childhood Carving out your ID, future planning, independence, developing close relationships Life can seem overwhelming 1980’s and 90’s research began to focus on the adolescent stage of development Problems teens face: sex, drugs, and suicide

Teenage sexual behavior Sex behavior varies from society to society Some preindustrial societies permit sexual behavior Trobrianders actually encourage it; prep for marriage Western societies (U.S.) strict norms against premarital sexuality. Outgrown from Puritan & Victorian views

Sexual revolution 1960’s and 1970’s Birth Control Youth counterculture Feminist movement Human sexuality openly discussed and explored 98% of TV programs have sexual reference Physical intimacy found in almost every movie without “G” Advertising Resulting, current teen sexual activity

Rate of Teen Sexual Activity 1970: 29% unmarried females 15-19 were active 1995: 50% 1970: 22 births per 1,000 unmarried teen females 1996: 43 Recent numbers show drops since the mid 90’s Encouragement of abstinence or birth control Some success: teen sex V, teen BC ^, teen pregnancy V

Influences on early sexual activity Explanations for early sexual activity: social and economic factors Family income level Parents’ marital status, and religious participation Two parent/higher income= lower sexual activity Teens who practice their religion= lower sexual act. Friends influence friends activity Risk-taking behaviors; drugs/sex

Consequences of early sexual activity Often negative consequences Less than 1/3 teen girls use BC ~1M girls become pregnant every year Teen pregnancy has further negative consequences: Teen moms w/ low birth weights Less likely to finish high school/college More likely to experience learning troubles Higher risk of becoming teen parents as well Emotional stress STDs: 4M teens contract each year

Teen drug use Drug: any substance that changes mood, behavior, or consciousness. Drug use 3,000 years ago (Greeks: opium) Aztecs: hallucinogens, U.S.: cocaine and heroine until early 1900’s for nonmedical use Drug violence (crack) Alcohol, cigarettes, and weed Why use? Attitude towards drug use?

Teen suicide Youth suicide occurs every 2 hours, 12 a day, 84 a week, over 4,000 a year 3rd cause of death age 15-24 behind accident and homicide 4th among 10-14 y.o. ’99: HS 8% said they attempted, 20% seriously thought and 14% had made a plan Suicide is twice as high in ages 75-84

Teen suicide Durkheim: most comprehensive study to date Why some groups w/in society have higher rates… Social integration: degree of attachment people have to social groups or to society as a whole High levels: putting group needs above yours Low levels: rapid social change, moving, change in econ. Teens focus on the present more than future