Chapter 5: The Adolescent in Society

1. Chapter 5: The Adolescent in Society

2. Essential Question What socialization issues are associated with adolescence?

3. Adolescence Writing Prompt A benevolent alien species has sent explorers to earth to learn more about the human species. They are curious about the different stages of human physical and social development. They have asked teenagers in several parts of the world, including the U.S. to describe and explain adolescence in their own words, and in context of their own society and culture. On your entrance ticket, write at least a paragraph explaining what you think adolescence is.

4. Learning Targets • Adolescence refers to a distinct stage of life. • In the United States, the concept of adolescence is a recent development. • The five leading characteristics of adolescence are biological growth and development, an undefined status, increased decision making, increased pressures, and the search for self.

5. The Adolescent Brain: A Work in Progress How is a teenager's brain different from an adult's brain? Ted Talk Video Clip

7. The Concept of Adolescence • Adolescence: the period between the normal onset of puberty and the beginning of adulthood. • Puberty: the physical maturing that makes an individual capable of sexual reproduction. • In the United States, it is generally from ages 12 to 19.

8. The Concept of Adolescence • The History… • Many societies do not include the idea of “adolescence.” • Social and economic developments since the Civil War have strengthened the idea of adolescence in the U.S. and other industrialized nations.

9. The Concept of Adolescence • 3 Factors in the Development of Adolescence as a Stage of Life… • Mandatory education • Exclusion from the labor force • Separate legal status

10. Characteristics of Adolescence • Undefined Status • Unclear social expectations: • Some treated as children, some as adults • Allowed to marry at age 16, vote at age 18, and drink at age 21 • Some adults like adolescent culture, others are critical

11. Characteristics of Adolescence • Increased Decision Making • More decisions must be made independently. • Increased Pressure • Parents, friends, and teachers all pressure adolescents to behave in particular ways. • Peer pressure is the strongest. • Many teens feel pressure to be in a relationship or find a job.

12. Characteristics of Adolescence • The Search for Self • The ability to establish personal norms and priorities is important. • Preparing for future roles is one aspect of finding oneself. • Anticipatory socialization: learning the rights, obligations, and expectations of a role to prepare for assuming that role in the future.

13. Characteristics of Adolescence • Coming of Age • Most cultures mark an adolescent’s entry into adulthood with of some type of rite of passage • Coming-of-age ceremonies are different across cultures. • Some are informal events such as getting a driver’s license. • Some are more formal such as a high school graduation.