Unit 6 The Adolescent in Society  Warm Up: 1. Create two lists. 2. One list should be all of the advantages of being a teen over being a child and being an adult. 3. The other should list the major problems that 21st Century teens feel that they must face in their lives.

Basic Definitions of Adolescent Sociology  Adolescence  The period between the onset of puberty and the entry into adulthood.  Puberty  Physical maturing that makes an individual ready for sexual reproduction.

The Concept of Adolescence  In many preindustrial societies, the concept of adolescence does not exist.  After puberty rites at 13 or 14, children move into adulthood.  In the US, adolescence did not exist prior to the Civil War. This picture depicts child factory labor about 1910  The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 ended all child labor in the US and set the stage for adolescence.

Five Characteristics of Adolescence 1. Biological Growth and Development Puberty is the one aspect of adolescence that is found in every society. Not only does the body change significantly (including the skin, i.e. acne), but so does the brain.

Five Characteristics of Adolescence 2. Undefined Status: Societies expectations for children are very clear, as are those for adults. Some adults treat adolescents as children, others treat them like adults. Some adults treat adolescents as children, others treat them like adults. For example, some states allow adolescents to marry at 16, others set the bar at 18. For example, some states allow adolescents to marry at 16, others set the bar at 18. Teen wedding - Spain

Five Characteristics of Adolescence 3. Increased Decision Making: New and varied choices are made in the teen years. What courses do I take? What career do I want? What clubs should I join? Most teen decisions are not long term.

Five Characteristics of Adolescence 4. Increased Pressure Pressure comes from many sources ParentsParents SchoolSchool CommunityCommunity PeersPeers RelationshipsRelationships JobJob SelfSelf

Five Characteristics of Adolescence 5. The Search for Self Adolescents are mature enough to think about themselves and about what they want out of life. Most teens can sort through their values and decide what things are really important to them.

Anticipatory Socialization  Preparing for future roles is one aspect of finding ones self.  Anticipatory socialization involves learning the rights, obligations and expectations of a role to prepare for assuming that role in the future.  Three common forms of anticipatory socialization: 1. Part time job 2. Club membership 3. Dating Internship at the Academy is also Anticipatory Socialization Internship at the Academy is also Anticipatory Socialization

Research on the Adolescent Brain  Research reveals that the human brain remains a construction site even into the 20s.  The greatest changes to the brain during adolescence are in the areas of * judgment * emotional control * organization * planning

Courtship and Dating  Dating  Meeting of people as a romantic engagement.  Courtship  Express purpose is eventual marriage.

Courtship  Courtship was not casual  Roles strictly defined  A young man must first meet a young woman’s parents before he could talk to her the first time and ask their permission.  Meetings usually conducted in the parlor of the woman’s home under close supervision or in a social situation with a large group of people. (Community dances, church meetings, etc.  Couple rarely left alone until they were married. Partners selected based on honesty and dependability.

Amish  Amish begin dating around sixteen  At 16 Amish men receive a courting buggy  Most time spent together at formal events – picnics, weddings, church  After the event, the young man escorts the woman home  Marriage is the goal

Emergence of Dating  Industrialization brought about less dependence on parents for income  Free public education meant a delay in jobs and marriage.  After WWI more Americans acquired cars and telephones  These provided freedom of movement  1920’s brought equity for women.  1950’s saw more relaxed attitude toward dating but there were still strict rules of behavior.

Willard Waller Study  During 1920s and 1930s, Waller studied college dating patterns.  Casual dating = entertainment  Dating had little to do with marriage, but status attainment.  Partners selected based on good looks, nice clothes and popularity.  Homogamy  Tendency of individuals to choose people who have social characteristics similar to their own.

Dating Patterns  Traditional  Prior to 1960s  Arranging a date left to the man  Group expectations clearly defined  On Wed. dates were arranged  Saturdays were date nights  If you didn’t have a Saturday night date, you were considered a loser.  Sexual behavior standards were rigid.  Contemporary  Today there is a greater opportunity for men and women to interact informally.  Sexual standards are more often relaxed  Today relationships are based on friendship and the group

Times Have Changed: Dating Practices in America Assignment  Assignment: American dating practices have changed greatly over the last century. Interview someone who experienced adolescence in America during the 1940’s, 1950’s or early 1960’s (someone 50 years or older.)  1. Ask about dating practices during his/her adolescence.  2. What were popular places to go on dates? Who paid?  3. What customs and norms influenced asking people out? Who did the asking? Who determined where the date would take place?  4. What curfews were observed? 5. What was considered proper dress for each gender?  6. What symbols were prominent related to dating? (i.e. flowers, jewelry, pins, etc)  7. How did teens show their commitment to a relationship?  8. In a report on this interview, include information about the person’s name, age and where he/she lived as a teen. Then, add your observations/experiences as a teen. Answer the same questions as the ones above. What are dating practices in America, today, popular places to go, customs and norms and ways to express commitment? Compare and contrast dating practices during the two periods in American society. Also, include information from the text on traditional and contemporary dating patterns.

Friday, March 30, 2007  Today is a presentation day!  Research your topic.  Complete your PowerPoint presentation.