: Think back over the stages in your life from childhood to the present. Which were the best and worst? Why? Warm up

Adolescence- time to talk about you! Physical and Sexual Development Adolescence is the transition period between childhood and adulthood. In some societies, adolescence is not recognized as a separate stage of life; individuals move directly from childhood to adulthood. But in our society adolescence is looked upon as a time of preparation for adult responsibilities.

Initiation rites: ceremonies or rituals in which an individual is admitted to new status or accepted into a new position. Initiation rites are also known as rites of passage, which can include: celebration of birthdays at 16, 18 and 21 bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs graduation from high school or college weddings Young people are undergoing complex physical and emotional changes that effect them both personally and socially.

Theories of Adolescence G. Stanley Hall (1904) saw the adolescent as a transitional stage- a fully grown animal in a cage, an animal that sees freedom but does not know quite when freedom will occur or how to handle it. Hall coined the phrase “storm and stress” meaning the teen is confused, troubled, and highly frustrated. Margaret Mead (1920s) found in some cultures, adolescence is a highly enjoyable time of life and not at all marked by storm and stress was a by-product of an industrialized society. Proposed culture might play a role in development.

Continued Robert Havighurst- every adolescent faces challenges in the form of developmental tasks that must be mastered. Accepting one’s physical makeup and acquiring a masculine or feminine gender role Developing appropriate relations with age-mates of both sexes Becoming emotionally independent of parents and other adults Achieving the assurance that one will become economically independent

Deciding on, preparing for, and entering a vocation Developing the cognitive skills and concepts necessary for social competence Understanding and achieving socially responsible behavior Preparing for marriage and family Acquiring values that are harmonious and appropriate Most teens face stress, but find a way to deal with it. The most important of theses include the individual’s adjustment in childhood, the level of adjustment of his or her parents and peers, and the changes that occur during adolescence. This time period is marked by major physical, social, emotional, and intellectual changes.

Physical Development Puberty: sexual maturation; the end of childhood and the point when reproduction is first possible Hormones trigger a series of internal and external changes. Some girls start to mature physically as early as 8, while boys may start to matures between 9 or 10. Just before puberty boys and girls experience a growth spurt.

Reactions to Growth- both Teens conform to ideals of how a male or female their age should act, dress, and look. Most teens mention physical appearance when they discuss what they don’t like about themselves.

Reactions to Growth -boys Boys who mature early (advantage) Become sport hero Others look up to them/crushes More self-confident and independent Boys who mature late Become withdrawn Display defiant behavior Never grow up

Reaction to Growth-girls Mature early Embarrassed Date older boys (pregnant) Become bossy w/other people Can be more popular Mature late Get along with peers Less aggressive But may not like themselves

Discuss the following question with your partner…jot down your answer so we may discuss the questions further… you have 10 minutes. Go! Has sexual attitudes changed in last 10 years? Defend your answer. Has sexual attitudes changed in last 20 years? Defend your answer. Has sexual attitudes changed in last 30 years? Defend your answer.

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Sexual Development The physical changes that occur are accompanied by changes in behavior and attitudes about sex. The average age of marriage is about 26 years, some three or four years later than in the 1950s.

Sexual Attitudes Depending on your culture/society determines how much you know about sexual development. In some societies children are kept in the dark about sex until just before they are married. Whereas some are encouraged to engage in sexual play in the belief that such play will foster mature development.

Increase of Sexual Awareness Many questions have been raised over the role of the family, religion and government in providing information and guidance about sex. The teen birth rate has fallen steadily since Studies show that children of teenage mothers are more likely to become teenage parents themselves, to do poorly in school, and likely to serve time in prison.

Diseases Fear of sexually transmitted diseases and the AIDS epidemic have effected sexual attitudes. More teens turning to abstinence.

Project time Answer the following question: What stereotypes about body image does the media hold? 1. Collect pictures from internet or mags and newspapers Collect ads or headlines that show the “ideal body image” 2. Then place them on poster board (make sure you use the question as the title of your poster) 3. Answer somewhere on the poster board (make sure to write the question) *Do these stereotypes place any pressure on adolescents? If so, why? If not, why not?