Are you a parent of an adolescent? This session is for you. Understanding the
features of adolescents would definitely help you to manage the adolescent
behavior and also to extend an empathic care to the teenager when he/she going
through the period of 'storm and stress'.
Rebellion
As part of an overall struggle for independence and freedom the young person
rebels against his/her parents. The young person will reject the attitudes,
opinions, and advice of parents and may accuse them of being ‘old-fashioned’,
‘stupid’, or ‘out of touch’. This rebellion may be mild or severe depending upon
the temperament of the individual.
Concern about ‘looking good’
Adolescence is a time when the young person is looking for his/her own identity
and needs to experiment with different ways of looking. There is a constant
preoccupation with appearance and body-image and, as a result, the adolescent
will monopolise the bathroom, and spend hours in the bedroom. Although this
behaviour is more common among girls, boys are becoming more fashion-conscious
and concerned about the way they look.
Increased peer group allegiance In adolescence, peer group friendships become very important and a lot of time
is spent in the company of friends. This influences the adolescent’s behaviour,
appearance, way of speaking, etc., and is a potential source of friction between
the adolescent and his/her parents. The peer group can provide valuable support
to an adolescent, and an opportunity to ‘let off steam’ when thing at home get
difficult.
Increased Sex Drive
Because of bodily changes and sexual development young people become more
interested in sexual matters. During this time they will need to learn how to
channel the sexual urges they experience into acceptable sexual behaviour. All
adolescents need clear information and guidance regarding sexual development,
and about forming close relationships. Increased Aggressive Drive
Adolescence is a time when young people become more assertive in making demands
from adults. When they do not get their own way, they may become more physically
resistant and threatening. When this happens parents will need to ‘tread
carefully’ which mean being sensitive and tolerant so that the adolescent can
learn to gain control of his/her aggressive urges. Mood Swings All the physical changes of adolescence mean that the young person’s emotions
are in a state of upheaval too. Moods can change rapidly so that one minute the
adolescent is feeling ‘on top of the world’ and the next they are ‘down in the
dumps’. These moods are usually brief but parents need to keep an eye on things
in case they become more serious and persistent. Unpredictable Attitudes and Opinions Just as young people experiment with ways of looking, so too they experiment
with ways of thinking. They can ‘try out’ a variety of attitudes and opinions,
often saying one thing one day, and something entirely different the next.
Again, parents need to be patient and tolerant while the adolescent establishes
his/her own sense of direction in life. Ambivalence
This describes those times when a person has conflicting feelings about
something in particular and, as a result, is unable to make a decision or to
commit themselves. They may be ‘in two minds’ as to what to do and instead may
do nothing. When asked a question he/she may say ‘I don’t know’, ‘I am not
bothered’, or ‘I don’t care’. This can result in adults putting pressure on
young people in order to get a decision from them. They want to help them make
the ‘right’ decision but it can result in the adolescent becoming withdrawn or
angry. It is important for a young person to develop his/her own identity and
direction, rather than one imposed by other people. Courtesy: Prof. Michael Kerfoot, Manchester University, United Kingdom.
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