Humans undergo physical, emotional, social, and physiological developments from infancy to death. These developmental changes cover a range of transformations in a person's personality and faculties. The significant levels of human development include infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. These stages are distinct since the changes that happen to humans at each stage cannot be replicated in another stage. Although all these stages are important, the infancy, childhood, and adolescence stages are more critical as they shape an individual’s personality and faculties. This paper will focus on the adolescence stage since it is the most dynamic and vital in forming the foundation of life. A detailed analysis of the physical, social, and cognitive changes in adolescence will expound the stage. The paper will also include examples of uncharacteristic developments in the adolescent stage and the domain affected by developments. Also, the paper will then discuss one theory that relates to the adolescence development stage. Lastly, the paper will discuss the impact of cultural context on the adolescence stage.
The Adolescence Stage
The adolescence stage includes young people from the age of 12 to 18 years. This stage is characterized by significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Puberty which includes body growth and sexual maturity, occurs in this stage. Adolescents experience rapid skeletal growth and weight gain. During this stage, girls' body changes, such as breast budding and menstruation, support fertility (American Psychological Association, 2002). Adolescent boys experience wet dreams and enlargement of testes. Socially, most adolescents develop a sense of independence, and thus, most of them wish to live far from family and immediate neighbors. Disagreements between parents and adolescents are common as young people feel misunderstood and often unwanted. Most adolescents become rude and rebellious as they challenge every authority from parents, teachers, and local authorities. Puberty developments significantly affect adolescent's social performance (Sanders, 2013). Adolescents find the physical transformations to be embarrassing, especially in situations where no one prepared them psychologically.
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Adolescence is characterized by massive cognitive changes such as personal identity and relationships. During late adolescence, young people develop a sense of self where they develop unique interests, confidence, and aptitudes (Government of Manitoba, n.d.). Teens strive to create an identity that will attract attention and help them stand out. Adolescents make career choices and strive to develop them regardless of parents or guardians not supporting the preferences. Adolescents also move towards meaningful relationships, employment, and dating. In early adolescence, friendships are formed as teens' teams due to common localities or schools. However, in late adolescence, friendships are fashioned to develop the adolescent's future. Some of the relationships in late adolescence include romantic partners, workmates, and people with similar interests.
Atypical Development in Adolescence
The establishment of autonomy is the most atypical development in adolescence. In most of the other stages of development, people value and develop attachments with families. However, in adolescence, people try to become emotionally and economically detached from the families (Sanders, 2013). Adolescents establish their independence after joining peer groups. Autonomy affects the social and cognitive domains of teens are they flout rules and advice. They are concerned about their physical appearance and how they look to their peers. As a result, adolescents may use hairstyles, clothing, substance use, and language to fit in with their age mates. Sanders (2013) notes that adolescents struggle with self-esteem and self-worth. Adolescents who have gone through challenging life situations can have low self-esteem leading to depression and underperformance. On the contrary, adolescents with good backgrounds can develop pride and a sense of self-importance. Besides, role readjustments at home cause stress and conflict as the adolescents consider themselves mature enough to perform higher roles. For example, adolescents may feel old enough to drive regardless of them being underage. Adolescents are likely to disagree more with their parents when they assign what adolescents consider minors' tasks. The struggle to achieve adult status may force adolescents to engage in adulthood practices such as intimacy, alcohol use, and dating.
Development Theory
Erikson's theory of developmental stages best fits the adolescence stage. Erikson's identity vs. role confusion stage covers the ages of 13 to 19 years. In this stage, adolescents are held between self-identity and their role in society. Erikson explains that adolescents are tempted to experiment with a range of behaviors and activities to fit society. According to Erikson, failure to identify with any career or identity can lead the adolescents into an identity crisis (Sanders, 2013). However, the modern education systems can delay the time that young people take to identify their identities. Besides, adolescents' heightened desire to succeed can lead to low self-esteem if they fail to achieve their objectives. Adolescents resolve to drugs and substance abuse to minimize stress and depression if they fail in class or career (Sanders, 2013). Understanding Human Development proposes that parents should respect adolescents’ decisions and trials and give clarifications that can allow them to solve their problems themselves. Parental support can build the adolescents' problem-solving skills, thus helping them discover their identity without strain.
Impact of Cultural Context on Adolescence
The relationship between peers, family members, and society has a significant influence in the adolescence stage. Adolescents have unstable identities and thus can be swayed easily depending on the everyday practices they are exposed to. Thus, the cultural setup forms the foundation of the adolescents' personalities and character. The acceptable code of conduct in society determines how adolescents behave, dress, and talk. The culture of parents granting freedom to adolescents also shapes their identities (Social Science, 2020). In a free society, adolescents are free to take up identities from anyone anywhere. However, in a strict society, adolescents' exposure is limited, leading to fewer identity options. Adolescents' associations are essential in influencing career paths and relationships.
Cultures such as social responsibilities and belief systems influence adolescent development. These cultures are shared and learned, and therefore, adolescents are likely to uphold dominant cultural practices. Adolescents' responsibilities and degree of autonomy vary in different cultures. Exposure to a different culture can change an adolescents' beliefs and identity. For instance, an adolescent from a culture with limited financial freedom is likely to change if exposed to a culture that upholds adolescents' financial responsibilities. Sexuality and religion affect teens' choices. For instance, in a culture supporting gays, lesbians, transgender, and queer, a more comprehensive range of sexualities to identify with (Social Science, 2020). However, in a religious culture, adolescents are only supposed to uphold what is considered godly. Therefore, adolescents who choose to identify with culturally or religiously unacceptable norms face discrimination and prejudice.
In conclusion, the adolescence stage is characterized by a sense of independence and identity as adolescents prepare for adulthood. Adolescents strive for self-governance and autonomy. In most cases, adolescents disregard laws and parental advice as they try to establish the social groups or careers they best fit in. this stage also includes forming relationships and character depending on the predominant cultures. Usually, teenagers feel misunderstood and unwanted, and hence, they resolve to live alone. Erikson's development theory on identity vs. role confusion matches the adolescent stage as it centers on adolescents' identity and freedom. Adolescents' drive for freedom and identity leads them to new behaviors and relationships as they search for satisfactoriness. Culture and religion determine the adolescents' freedoms and responsibilities, thus influencing their exposure and life decisions.
References
American Psychological Association. (2002). A Reference for Professionals : Developing Adolescents. Washington DC: American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/pi/cyf/develop.pdf
Sanders, R, A. (2013). Adolescent Medicine: Adolescent Psychological, Social, and Cognitive Development . Pediatrics in Review , 34 (8), 354-359.
Social Science. (2020). Cultural and Societal Influences on Adolescent Development . Libre Texts. https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Courses/College_of_the_Canyons/Psych_172%3A_Developmental_Psychology_(Bobola)/07%3A_Adolescence/7.5%3A_Cultural_and_Societal_Influences_on_Adolescent_Development
Government of Manitoba. (n.d.). Understanding Human Development . https://gov.mb.ca/fs/pwd/pubs/js_manual/k_undestand_dev.pdf
