Dutch Adolescence Alina, Brandon, Grace, & Madison

Overview of Presentation ❖ Introduction of Culture ❖ Physical Domain ❖ Cognitive Domain ❖ Social Domain ❖ Interview

Dutch Culture much more liberal o contrasting views in drugs, sexuality much more independence o parental guidance vs pressure less social pressures love vs sex drive

Physical Domain ●The Dutch are on average the tallest people in the world. ○Men are 6 feet tall (182.5 cm) ○Women are 5 feet 7 inches (170.5 cm) ○Researchers point to a healthy diet and good medical care as the main factors that lead to a tall population. Lower rate of adolescent pregnancy, birth, and abortion ➔ The United States’ teen pregnancy rate is over 4x that of the Netherlands

Physical Domain ➔ The US teen birth rate is nearly 8x higher than that of the Netherlands The abortion rate in the US is nearly 2x that of the Netherlands

Physical Domain ➔ Maturation occurs earlier and earlier overtime ➔ Consistently grows in unison with population growth

Cognitive Domain Dutch adolescents have similar cognitive capabilities to American adolescent’s cognitive capabilities (i.e. metacognition, abstract concepts, thinking about possibilities). American Youth reported more externalizing and internalizing problems than did their Dutch peers. (Roeser 111) Dutch adolescents ability to consider ways in which their lives might be affected by different career choices is very different than American adolescents. Only 47% of Dutch youth ages reported having a career path planned. Nature vs. Nurture-- this is NOT due to a lack of cognitive development.

Sex: Normalize, Don’t Dramatize Amy Schalet: American Sociologist - Cross-cultural study between the Netherlands and America - Interviews with families of similar socio-economic culture Difference in views of individualism: - Dutch → Interdependent - American → Adversarial

Sex: Normalize, Don’t Dramatize Dutch NormalizationAmerican Dramatization What is problematic?New AttachmentsHormone-driven self How/Why is it regulated?Negotiation and incorporation due to family member status Prohibition and expulsion due to non-adult status How do adolescents regulate the problem? Self-regulation and speaking Separation and hiding What ideal state and individual result? Interdependence Self-regulated individual Total Freedom Self-sufficient individual (Schalet, 2010)

Social Domain More Dutch teens satisfied with first sexual experiences than American teens. Romantic Sleepovers common in NL - Older, mature teens - In relationships - Taken necessary precautions

Dutch Life - First Hand Parenting positive o treated as adults  more confidence o more freedom  less dependency negative o less guidance Sexuality and Experimentation Drugs and alcohol o start early o “only 2 years away” love vs. sex drive o early sex, late date stigmas

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