1. I. Adolescent Development Adolescence = transition period between childhood and adulthood – Does not have precise definition: Why? Physiological Approach: – Time when childlike responsibilities and behavior evolve into adultlike behaviors Cultural Influences: – Some cultures don’t recognize adoloscence, move directly from childhood to adulthood American Cultural View: – Prepping you for adult responsibilities – Initiation Rites = rites of passage that mark admission into adulthood

2. II. Theories of Adolescence G. Stanley Hall: adolescence was like an animal in a cage, sees freedom but does not know whet it will occur or how to handle it (very stressful) Margaret Mead: adolescence is enjoyable, not marked my storm & stress -stress was a bi-product of industrialization -proposed that culture influenced development Robert Havighurst: every adolescent must master the same developmental tasks

3. Stanley Hall 1904: started the controversy on adolescent development The adolescent is ‘stuck’ in a transitional stage somewhere between childhood and adulthood Can see freedom, but does not know when it will occur, and therefore is in a state of stress

4. Margaret Mead 1920’s and 30’s: disagreed with Hall’s theory Adolescence is not distinct from childhood and/or adulthood The experience of adolescence is dependent on culture – ‘stressful’ experience results only in industrialized societies

5. After Mead Studies following Mead’s theories showed: – Continuous development (i.e. no separate adolescent ‘stage) – Development based on individual reactions – 57% of adolescents enjoy a positive experience of the teenage years

6. Havighurst 1972: All adolescents face stress, but most handle it well Adolescents must master certain ‘tasks’

7. Havighurt’s Tasks – Accept physical makeup – Acquire a masculine/feminine gender role – Develop appropriate relations w/ age-mates of both sexes – Become emotionally independent of parents and other adults -Vocational decisions -Develop social competence -Socially acceptable behavior -Prepare for marriage/family -Acquire appropriate values -Assure self that (s)he will become financially independent.

8. III. Social Development A. Does your willingness to conform change as you progress through adoloscence? B. Changes in their social relationships – Relationships tend to be more intense C. Not yet a child, not yet an adult – Must find new role within the family – Parents are not always ready to accept this role

9. IV. The Role of the Family A. Many marriages now end in divorce (over half) B. Most families have mother & father who work (different than pre-1970’s) C. Principal Task for Adolescent = become independent of family – Methods are not clear to teen or to parents D. Both parents & adolescents worry if they are prepared for life in the real world E. Teens = long for independence & are unsure of themselves at the same time…can lead to unpredictable (“rebellious”) behavior

10. The Role of the Family U.S. Families: Changing over last few decades – Higher divorce rate – Few have “wage earning father” and mother who is home Principal Task of Adolescent: – Become independent of family Problems on Both Sides: – Parents: sometimes reluctant to let the child go, very emotionally dependent; forced to face their own old age – Adolescent: want independence, worry about failure Results of Conflict for the Adolescent: – Unpredictable behavior – Viewed as “adolescent rebellion”

11. V. The Role of Peers A. Peers = can be trusted not to treat you like children – Use each other to define themselves often times B. High School = place to congregate – Most schools have easily identifiable groups – Everyone knows who belongs to each group – What factors determine social groups? – Does Okemos have defined social groups? C. Clique = a group within a group, very important to most adolescents – Fulfills need to feel close to others – Allows a way for adolescent to define themselves…IDENTITY – Self-confidence, need for independence from family, clarify values – Imitate one another’s clothing, speech or hairstyles

12. Cliques Functions of Cliques: – Fulfills need for closeness with others – Helps establish identity – Helps individual achieve self- confidence – Sense of independence from family – Clarify values – Experiment with new roles

13. So, what’s wrong with cliques? Conformity: group pressure to do things contrary to better judgment – Results from a fear of being disliked – Set standards on music and fashion Parents still play an important role: – Marriage – Religion – Educational plans Peers tend not to threaten parental authority – Most adolescents choose friends with similar values as their parents – Parents provide environment for which you will meet your peers