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It is important to recognize that the physical changes of adolescence are usually
accompanied by some emotional strain. There is an increase in self-consciousness
and a loss of self-assurance with the awakening of sexual feeling. Rapid mood
swings are characteristic of this period—feelings of elation and despair are
frequent, and intense while they last. Adolescents are often moody and daydream
frequently. They dream of being powerful, rich, beautiful, and of having
romantic experiences. Imaginative powers are at their height, and much of these
feelings find outlet in dramatic, artistic and literary expression, which should
certainly be encouraged.
It is at this time also that the young person becomes unduly aware of his
growing up. He senses considerable bodily change and experiences a sense of
difference to other people. His physical rhythm is altered, and he is now made
aware of physical functions which have previously been mainly automatic and
subconscious. His variations of mood may reflect certain glandular changes and
physical strains which he cannot control, and he may be worried and disturbed by
these happenings. He tends to think, too, that he is the only person passing
through this stage, and it is often a great re-assurance for him to learn that
other boys and girls of his age feel awkward or ill-at-ease, and experience
heightened feelings which may elate or depress in turn.
It is important that he be treated with understanding and thoughtfulness at this
time, but the adult should help him to realize that his feelings are essentially
normal, and if excessive sympathy or attention be paid to them, his sensitivity
and feeling of self-pity will only be increased.
Just now, too, when the adolescent needs guidance so earnestly, he is most
critical of adults. He tends to lose confidence in traditional family standards
and feels defiant of parental authority. This is especially irksome for parents,
but it is a natural development and represents the last stage of the weaning
process. The stage will pass, and usually parents will find their advice sought
and their opinions listened to with respect over again ; but this will depend
very largely on the parent-child relationship which has grown up since
childhood. If this is based on mutual trust and affection it will weather the
storms of adolescence. A friendly teacher can do much to help young people at
this period, by opening up new interests and inspiring them with new ideals.
Adolescents tend to be idealists and can readily be inspired by great deeds and
great words. There are many influences at work and all may have an effect on the
young person at this formative period, the cinema, television, advertisements,
the literature that comes his way, the talks that he may hear on the
radio, the sermons he may listen to in church, art, music, drama, or even
conversation at the street corner. He is exposed to much that is exciting,
disturbing, half-understood, and much that may be encouraging and inspiring.
From this assault on his eyes and ears and mind he has to sift the gold from the
dross. Studies that have been made in large cities, in London, Birmingham and
Liverpool for instance, give a somewhat depressing picture of the leisure time
activities of adolescents, of the literature they read, their expenditure of
money, the company they keep, and their lack of interest in youth organizations.
Lack of adequate home influence and increased urbanization have been potent
factors in producing the adolescent personality of to-day.
Young people, however, usually have certain strong loyalties, a strong sense of
allegiance to their own homes, sometimes to their schools, to their towns, and
even to their country in time of crisis. Often they show a great need to prove
their usefulness and to be of service to some one or some end. This sense of
service can be harnessed to some practical or some vocational purpose—in a Youth
Club for organizing some community service, or as a basis for a career in
nursing or teaching. The adolescent, who so often feels inwardly insecure and
inadequate, has a great need to prove his worth, to show that he has something
of value to contribute to the community. If first jobs are unwisely chosen and
fail to satisfy him, difficulties in behavior, and even delinquency, often
follow.
This is the age par excellence of hero-worship. The adolescent needs something
to worship. He will worship beauty where he finds it—in nature, in art, poetry,
literature or music. But more especially he
will look for some one person worthy of his high regard, and a relationship
built up with some adult outside his own family may be of great value to him.
Through him he may be led to adopt worth-while standards or the reverse. His
need for fellowship is very great at this time and this he may be able to find
through a link with some religious organization and thus satisfy his need for
worship and for service. Thus he may learn new and more essential standards and
values which may offset the materialism of his surroundings, and begin to
satisfy a deep craving of his nature. He must find his own way and build his own
philosophy of life, but the responsible adult can at least demonstrate what is
important to him, and the reasons for his convictions. Adults must be ready to
meet criticism, inquiry and argument, and respect the adolescent's need to think
for himself and express his own opinions. The need for thought and questing
seems a fundamental human one, the need for a belief and a sense of purpose
overwhelming at this age.
Solitude in this day and age is not easy to acquire, but it is most necessary
for the developing adolescent at times. He has a need to muse, to day-dream, to
remain apart from the hurly-burly and the pressure of modern living now and
again in order that his mind and his spirit may have an opportunity to grow and
unfold. Man is a social being, but he is also an individual and has a core which
he can share with no human being. We need to leave the adolescent to himself
sometimes, cease from constant, anxious efforts to influence him and in being
solitary he may most truly find himself |