CHAPTER 6 The Adolescent in Society Sociology 4/15/2017 CHAPTER 6 The Adolescent in Society Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society Section 2: Teenagers and Dating Section 3: Challenges of Adolescence Chapter 6

Objectives: Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society Explain how adolescence developed as a distinct stage of the life cycle in the United States. Identify the five general characteristics of adolescence.

What is Adolescence Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society Adolescence– the period between the normal onset of puberty and the beginning of adulthood (In the US – considered between the ages of 12-19) Puberty– the physical maturity that makes an individual capable of reproduction

How Adolescence Developed as a Stage of the Life Cycle Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society How Adolescence Developed as a Stage of the Life Cycle Through Education – children stay in school longer; extended period of dependence Through Work – laws restricted child labor, also increasing length of dependence Through Courts – juvenile-justice system legally distinguished between youth and adults

Five General Characteristics of Adolescence Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society Five General Characteristics of Adolescence Biological Growth and Development – various biological changes such as changes in body proportions and acne, even brain development Undefined Status – adolescent expectations are often vague (child or adult?) Increased Decision Making – must make some of their own decisions

5 General Characteristics of Adolescence Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society 5 General Characteristics of Adolescence (continued) Increased Pressure – adolescents are faced with pressure from many sources (parents, peers, school) The Search for Self – deciding what is really important (establishment of personal norms, values, priorities) - Anticipatory socialization –learning the rights, obligations and expectations of a role to prepare for assuming that role in the future

Objectives: Section 2: Teenagers and Dating Summarize how dating developed as a form of social interaction. Describe the functions that dating fulfills.

Section 2: Teenagers and Dating Development of Dating Dating – meeting of people as romantic engagement Industrial Revolution – people moved from the farms to the cities where young adults could gain more economic freedom and their own home. As a result, parental control over young adults and courtship decreased. Public Education – by the 1900s most secondary school students attended coeducational public schools which increased interaction between boys and girls

Development of Dating Section 2: Teenagers and Dating (continued) Automobile – young adults had more freedom of movement away from parents Telephone – young adults could more easily talk to members of the opposite sex Equality of Women – more women entered the workforce and took on more active community roles which increased the interaction between single adult men and women

Functions of Dating Section 2: Teenagers and Dating Serves as a form of entertainment Is a means of socialization that teaches people about the opposite sex Fills psychological needs such as companionship Helps individuals attain status as people are judged in part by whom they date Aids in spouse selection

Objectives: Section 3: Challenges of Adolescence Identify some of the social problems facing contemporary teenagers. Trace the causes and consequences of these problems.

Social Problems of Contemporary Teenagers Section 3: Challenges of Adolescence Social Problems of Contemporary Teenagers Teenage Sexual Behavior Teenage Drug Use Bullying Teenage Suicide What would you add to this?

Causes and Consequences of Contemporary Problems – Sexual Behavior Section 3: Challenges of Adolescence Causes and Consequences of Contemporary Problems – Sexual Behavior Cause – loosening of norms concerning sexuality; low-income, one-parent families Consequence – teenage pregnancy; exposure to or acquiring STDs such as syphilis or AIDS

Causes and Consequences of Contemporary Problems – Drug Use Section 3: Challenges of Adolescence Causes and Consequences of Contemporary Problems – Drug Use Cause – dropping out of school; having friends who use drugs; social and academic adjustment problems; hostile and rejecting family setting Consequence – increase in the use of some drugs among teens; increase in drug-related violence

Causes and Consequences of Contemporary Problems – Suicide Section 3: Challenges of Adolescence Causes and Consequences of Contemporary Problems – Suicide Cause – alcohol or drug use; triggering events such as a family crisis or other trials of adolescence; being female; social isolation, living in an underpopulated area, bad family environment; cluster effect from publicized suicides Consequence – death; possible cluster effects leading to other teenage suicides; rise in U.S. teenage suicide rate; teen suicide rate now exceeds that for adults