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THE ADOLESCENT
Physical Development:
Rapid weight gain at beginning of adolescence. Enormous appetite. Sexual maturity, with accompanying physical and emotional changes. Girls are usually about two years ahead of boys.
Sometimes a period of glandular imbalance. Skeletal growth completed, adult height reached, muscular coordination improved. Heart growing rapidly at beginning of period.
Characteristic Behavior:
Going to extremes, emotional instability with “know-it-all” attitude. Return of habits of younger child: nail biting, tricks, impudence, daydreaming. High interest in philosophical, ethical, and religious problems. Searches for ideas. Preoccupation with acceptance by the social group. Fear of ridicule and being unpopular. Self-pity and over sensitiveness. Strong identification with an admired adult. Assertion of independence from family as a step toward adulthood. Responds well to group responsibility and group participation. Groups may form cliques. High interest in physical attractiveness. Girls usually more interested in boys than boys in girls, resulting from earlier maturity of the girls.
Special Needs:
Acceptance by and conformity with others of own age.
Adequate understanding of sexual relationships and attitudes.
Kind, unobtrusive, adult guidance which does not threaten the adolescent’s feeling of freedom.
Assurance of security. Adolescents seek both dependence and independence.
Opportunities to make decisions and to earn and save money.
Provision for constructive recreation. Some cause, idea, or issue to work for.
SOURCE: Susan H. Turben, Ph.D. Beachwood, OH
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