CHALLENGES OF

ADOLESCENCE

The term adolescence is derived from the

word adolescere in Latin which means to
grow into maturity.It is the transitional
period in a persons life between childhood
and adulthood.Adolescence is commonly
defined as the stage of life that begins at the
onset of puberty,when sexual maturity,or the
ability to reproduce is attained.It is a period
of rapid biological and psychological
changes.The physical changes that take place
during this stage are universal but the social
and psychological dimensions of the
adolescents experience depends on the
individuals cultural context.

 For example: Adolescents growing

in cultures where adolescent years
are viewed as problematic and
confusing will have a different
experience from the adolescents
growing in cultures where these
years are viewed as the beginning
of adult behaviour and therefore a
period of undertaking
responsibilities tasks.Although most
societies have at least a brief period
of adolescence,it is not universal
across cultures.

Identity
The journey of adolescents is trying to figure out who
they are in the midst of community which is why we
see students experimenting with all different forms of
hair styles, clothing styles, music choices, friends,
behaviors, etc.

THERE
ARE
THREE
BASIC
TASKS
IN
THE
ADOLESC
ENT
JOURNEY.

Autonomy
-The stage of adolescence is one which a student is
given a myriad of choices such as extracurricular
activities, after school jobs, clubs, teams, driving,
etc. that given them an environment that helps them
to decide if their choices make a difference.However
they are caught between the two worldsof childhood
where their choices are made for them, and the
world of adulthood where they are fully responsible
for their own choices. The struggle is giving them an
environment where their choices actually mean
something and where they are held accountable for
those choices.
Belonging
The end of the quest of the adolescent is when they are
able to identify when they are assimilated in to society.
Knowing and understandingtheir place in society helps to
determine the end of adolescence and the beginning of
adulthood

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

PUBERTY

Pubertyis the
process of physical
changes by which a
child's body
matures into an
adult body capable
of sexual
reproduction to
enable fertilization.
Signifies the
beginning of
adolescence.

CHANGES IN BOYS DURING PUBERTY

CHANGES IN GIRLS DURING PUBERTY

SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS
PRIMARY

SECONDARY

Primary sexual
characteristics are
present in the human
body from birth itself.

Secondary sexual
characteristics are the
one which starts to
take place during
puberty.

GROWTH SPURT

In girls, there is a rapid growth in height

two years before menarche. For girls
growth in height usually starts from 10-11
yrs.

In boys, the growth in height takes place

slower. It usually starts during the age
12-13 yrs.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES
DURING PUBERTY

During this period, a number of changes takes

place in in humans.
The humans start to show a increase in the
interest in the members of the opposite sex and
sexual matters.
There is also a chance that these interests start
taking place due to the emphasis placed on
sexuality by peers, parents or society.
But at this age, they fail to understand the risk of
sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS due to the
lack of knowledge about it.

 The development of a sexual

identity defines the sexual
orientation and guides sexual
behaviour .As such it becomes an
important developmental task for
adolescents.How did you think of
yourself at the beginning of
puberty?Adolescents are
preoccupied with what they are
like and develop individual images
of what they look like.Another
important developmental task
during adolescne is accepting
ones physical
self/maturity.Adolescents need to
develop a realistic image of their
physical appearance,which is