Adolescence is a time of major change in a person’s life. During this period there are several drastic changes in the areas of physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth. In order to fully understand this group of individuals, the changes that they are experiencing need to be understood first. Adolescents move through these changes at very different rates. Therefore, there is not set developmental place for a 15 year old versus a 16 year old and information has not been broken down by ages.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
During adolescence, both boys and girls will experience a growth spurt. At this time, sexual organs are developing rapidly. Sweat glands are also becoming more active and therefore acne may appear. Because of all of these changes, adolescents may feel tired more easily and will require a greater amount of calories.
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
Early in adolescence, from the ages of 12-14, 85% of teens will experience a plateau in brain development. Almost all adolescents will make progress in intellectual development, however the gap between good and poor students will widen. Adolescents feel the need to be competent and gain achievement. After the plateau in development, adolescents will begin to develop formal operational reasoning. This age group also gains intellectual curiosity and improves the ability to function creatively and effectively. It is at this time that attention span grows. One of the most important changes at this time is moving from and initial emphasis on the present to a feeling of importance placed on planning for the rest of one’s as well as the decision of attitudes about learning, work, and adult values.
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Adolescents is the beginning of one’s movement away from parental influence towards greater independence. Adolescents will begin to criticize opinions, suggestions, and actions of adults. Adolescents will frequently fluctuate between emotional peaks of excitement and depths of moodiness. Because of this teens can feel unstable. Any isolation from or lack of involvement in the community leads to adolescents’ feelings of being ignored or unneeded. Adolescents may make rude comments that can hinder another’s self-concept. Adolescents may learn to feel, think, and act according to congruent sex roles. Adolescents should develop an interest in ethics and morality and form their own opinions about these issues.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Adolescents will feel the need to seek out more privacy. Their conversation with family will be less spontaneous. Peers will begin to move into their life and take the place of family. Same sex relationships will get stronger and adolescents will feel the need to “fit in.” Girls tend to have more intimate and exclusive friendships than boys do. Adolescents will seek out places to congregate with their friends.
Source: http://www.uwyo.edu/CES/FAMILY/CYFAR/FACT_SHE/Unders~1.htm
SEXUALITY
In terms of sexuality, adolescents will often display shyness, blushing, and modesty as their bodies begin to change. Girls typically develop sooner than boys. Both will show an increased interest in the opposite sex. At this age there is typically a movement towards heterosexuality accompanied by fears of homosexuality. Adolescents often exhibit concerns regarding their physical and sexual attractiveness to others and worry about being normal. They will frequently change relationships.
Source: http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/develop.htm
Some content developed by Nicole Beck