1. Adolescence in Our Society

2. Adolescence- period between normal onset of puberty and beginning of adulthood. Usually from about
Puberty- physical maturing that makes an individual capable of sexual reproduction
Adolescence as a distinct life stage is the creation of modern industrial society and is a relatively recent concept.
In many preindustrial societies, young people go directly from childhood to adulthood after taking part in puberty rites.
Examples:
Demonstrations of strength or endurance
Filing of teeth
Tattooing or scarring of skin
What is Adolescence?

3. How Adolescence is Defined as a Separate Group:
Prior to 1860s
Adolescence did not exist as a separate life stage; children treated as small adults
Education
Courts
Work
Children stay in school longer; extended period of dependence
Juvenile-justice system legally distinguished between youth and adults
Laws restricted child labor, also increasing length of dependency
Effect
Development of adolescence as a distinct life stage between childhood and adulthood

4. Characteristics of adolescence
Biological Growth and Development
Undefined Status
Increased Decision Making
Increased Pressure
The Search for Self
Characteristics of adolescence

5. Biological Growth and Development
Puberty is universal because it is biological
Marked by:
Growth in weight and height
Development of primary and secondary
sexual characteristics
Complexion problems
If behind or ahead others physically it can
often times lead to anxiety or
embarrassment
Biological Growth and Development

6. Undefined Status Expectations for adolescents can be vague
Example: different ages for driving,
marriage, voting, smoking, and
alcohol consumption
Some treat teens as adults, some as children
Undefined Status

7. Increased Decision Making
When children reach adulthood they must make many of their own decisions
Examples:
What courses should I take?
What sports should I play?
Will I go to college? If so, where?
Increased Decision Making

8. Adolescents are faced with pressure from many different sources
Examples:
Find the balance between parental wishes and peer pressures
Pressures from school: attending class, completing assignments, participating, etc.
Establishing relationships
Job-related pressures
One of the greatest pressures:
peer pressure
Increased Pressure

9. The Search for Self Adolescents must decide what is really important
Sort through norms
Establish personal norms
Set priorities
Anticipatory socialization- learning the rights, obligations, and expectations of a role to prepare for assuming that role in the future
Examples: dating, part-time job, club membership
The Search for Self