CHAPTER 6 The Adolescent in Society Sociology 4/20/2017 CHAPTER 6 The Adolescent in Society Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society Section 2: Teenagers and Dating Section 3: Challenges of Adolescence Chapter 6

Some sociologists have called adolescence a time of “storm and stress”. Others disagree and believe that for most young people it is a very happy time. What do you believe? (No period of life is problem-free) Do you believe the problems of teenagers are more difficult than those of adults?

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.

Adolescence in our Society

Adolescence Ages 12-19 Between onset of puberty and the beginning of adulthood Modern industrial society created adolescence as a distinct life stage

Adolescence Not all societies recognize adolescence, some kids 13-14 go directly into adulthood Education (High School and College)- has had the effect of extending adolescence Distinguishing feature is the exclusion of adolescents from the work force

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 1. Biological Growth and Development – various biological changes such as… Spurts of growth in height and weight Body proportions change Development of sexual characteristics Acne problems for many Can cause anxiety for those way ahead or behind others of the same age

Five General Characteristics of Adolescence Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society Five General Characteristics of Adolescence 2. Undefined Status – adolescent expectations are often vague… Expectations for children and adults are clear- adolescents must learn to stop acting like children and start acting like adults Many states allow 16 year olds to marry Must be 18 to vote 9

Five General Characteristics of Adolescence Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society Five General Characteristics of Adolescence (continued) 3. Increased Decision Making – must make some of their own decisions… What courses to take Sports/clubs to join To go to college or not How to dress

Five General Characteristics of Adolescence Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society Five General Characteristics of Adolescence (continued) 4. Increased Pressure – adolescents are faced with pressure from many sources… Teens are often under pressure to please parents and peer groups at the same time Pressure of handling homework, sports, clubs, part time jobs at the same time, while doing well in school Pressure to “fit-in” wear the right clothes, make up, hair style, sports equipment, phone, iPod 11

Five General Characteristics of Adolescence Section 1: Adolescence in Our Society (continued) Five General Characteristics of Adolescence 5. The Search for Self – deciding what is really important… Set priorities “Anticipatory socialization”- learning rights, obligations, and expectations of certain roles Part time job, club membership, dating 12

Today’s Adolescent Subculture WS: Describe your adolescent subculture… EXTRA CREDIT: Notice that there is a back, ask your parent, grandparent (an adult) and examine the differences/similarities

http://www.ted.com/talks/freeman_hrabowski_4_pillars_of_college_success_in_science.html

Dating Attitudes Survey

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

Teen Dating WS

Development of Dating Section 2: Teenagers and Dating 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

Closure: Teenagers and Dating Bookwork Activity pp. 127-133

CLUELESS…

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

Challenges of Adolescence Bookwork pp. 135-143

Social Problems of Contemporary Teenagers Section 3: Challenges of Adolescence Social Problems of Contemporary Teenagers Teenage Sexual Behavior Teenage Drug Use Teenage Suicide

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