The Adolescent in Society Chapter 6 Pgs 118

The Adolescent in Society Chapter 6 Pgs. 118 -146

The Adolescent in Society • Explain how adolescence developed as a distinct stage of the life cycle in the U. S. • Identify the five general characteristics of adolescence. • Summarize how dating developed as a form of social interaction. • Describe the functions that dating fulfills. • Identify some of the social problems facing contemporary teenagers. • Trace the causes and consequences of these problems.

Adolescence in our Society • Adolescents are caught between two worlds, they are no longer children, but not yet adult. • Adolescence is defined as 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.

Adolescence in our Society • Adolescence is a distinct life stage that was created in modern industrial society. • No all societies have an adolescent stage. • In American societies this stage generally occurs between the ages of 12 to 19. • However puberty and acceptance into adulthood occur at different times for different people. • When do you think adolescence ends and adulthood begins?

The Concept of Adolescence • In many pre-industrial societies young people go directly from childhood to adulthood by taking part in what is known as puberty rites. • These generally take place at age 13 or 14. – Common rites: demonstrations of strength or endurance, filing of teeth, tattooing or scarring of strength. – If these children pass the rites they immediately become adults and take on adult roles and responsibility.

The Concept of Adolescence • In the U. S. Adolescence did not exist before the Civil War, children were simply seen as little adults. • Three factors have been important in the development of adolescence in the U. S. • Education • Exclusion of youth from the workforce • Development of the Juvenile Justice System

Education • State laws make education mandatory up to the age of 16. • College takes young people through to their early twenties. • Education extends the period of adolescence because many students are dependent on others for financial support. • While in school most students do not take on other roles of adulthood such as spouse, parent, or provider.

Exclusion of Youth from the Workforce • In most states, child labor laws prevent people from working until the age of 16. • When they do start working, most young people lack the training to compete for all but the most routine jobs. • Working adolescents do not typically have full time jobs, most work part time while they are attending school.

Juvenile Justice System • By distinguishing between juvenile and adult offenders, American society has created a separate legal status for young people. – Do you think adolescents should be tried as adults for major crimes such as murder, battery, or other crimes? – At what age are you old enough to pay for your crimes?

Characteristics of Adolescence • Five characteristics generally apply to all adolescents. • These five characteristics are biological growth and development, an undefined status, increased decision making, increased pressures and the search for self.

Biological Growth and Development • Puberty is one aspect of adolescence that is found in every society because it is biological rather than cultural. • The brain and the endocrine system-a group of glands that produce various hormones – control biological development. • During early adolescence youth undergo growth in height, weight, and body proportions. • Many often suffer complexion problems. • These changes can cause anxiety and embarrassment, which is especially true when the growth is ahead or behind others of the same age.

Undefined Status • Society’s expectations of children are clear as are those of adults. • Expectations of adolescents are often unclear. • Some adults treat you as children some treat you as adults. • Example – In some states you can marry at 16 with parental consent but in all states you cannot vote until you are 18. – Adults are often critical of youth clothing, music, and behavior, while some adults adopt these trends.

Increased Decision Making • There is no end to the • Young children have decisions that must be most decisions made. for them. • Some of these • When they reach decisions have no long adolescence they begin term importance, while to make many of their others such as own decisions. choosing a career have – Give examples far reaching consequences.

Increased Pressure • Adolescents are faced with pressure from many sources. – Parents give adolescents rules to follow such as when to be home, whom they can see, and where they can go. – But parents also want children to develop friendships and have a social life. – Adolescents must find a balance between parental wishes and peer pressure.

Increased Pressure • School – Students are expected to attend class, complete assignments, pass tests, participate in clubs, develop friendships and more. – What are some pressures teenagers face? – What factors might affect these pressures? • Peer Pressure – The greatest pressure for teens. – Teenagers want to be accepted as part of the in crowd. – If their friends have cars teenagers are pressured to have a car of their own.

Peer Pressure • Teenagers also face pressure with fads and fashion. • Some teenagers face job related pressures – Making time for school, family, friends, work, and social activities. – Various teenagers roles such as daughter, employee, student, athlete, club member, and friend can often cause conflict.

The Search for Self • Adolescents are mature enough to think about themselves and about what they want out of life. • Most teens can sort through their values and decide what things are really important to them. • What is important to you? • They establish personal norms that guide their behavior. • They can set priorities for themselves. • This is important. • When people know who they are, what they want out of life, and which values serve them they are better prepared for adulthood.

The Search for Self • Preparing for future roles is one aspect of finding oneself. • Anticipatory Socialization: involves learning the rights, obligations, and expectations of a role to prepare for assuming that role in the future. – Playing house as a child is a form of anticipatory socialization. Other examples? ?

The Search for Self • As an adolescent the time to adulthood is fast approaching. • Adolescents do not live solely in an adolescent subculture. • For example, economic status, family composition, and place of residence can affect life during adolescence. • Also, race, ethnicity, religion and cultural heritage cam make a difference in the kinds of adolescent experiences a person has.

Section Review • Write 1 -2 paragraphs explaining how the experience of adolescence might differ from teenager to teenager because of individual circumstances. (around 10 sentences with examples to back up your argument) – Consider • • Economic Status Cultural background Family Structure Region of residence