|
This page discusses adolescent
development.
Most of us, with a little thought, can recall certain facts about our own
adolescence. We may remember our first romance, some
important athletic feat, or an examination passed with flying colors. We may
remember some of our hopes and fears, some of our glorious aspirations and
ideals, or some of our gloomy forebodings and feelings of despair. To most of us
adolescence was not a particularly easy time, but it was a very interesting
time.
During adolescence, in contrast to the steady, even growth of the middle school
period or latency period, rapid physical and intellectual growth takes place and
some instability in emotional growth is apparent. It would, however, be a
mistake to look upon adolescence as a very turbulent period and feel,
consequently, a little afraid and worried about it. It is true that the
conflicts of early childhood, passed over and kept quiescent during the middle
school years, tend to rise again and press to the forefront of consciousness for
solution at this time. During adolescence the individual's character and
personality are being more definitely formed, and it is extremely important that
wise leadership and thoughtful guidance be available for every young person. If
this is provided, the individual will discover a hidden strength and new
talents,
and rejoice in a kind of awakening which is the prelude to real maturity.
Adolescence is usually considered to be that period between 13 and 18 years for
boys, and 12 and 16 years for girls, when the last general stage of growth is
reached and sexual maturity obtained. There is a tendency for the physical
changes to be a little earlier and more quickly established in the case of girls
than in the case of boys.
|