1. Chapter 6 Section 1: Adolescence in our society Obj: Explain how adolescence developed as a distinct stage of the life cycle in the US; Identify the five general characteristics of adolescence.

2. Adolescence is a unique stage in a person’s life. Adolescents are caught between two worlds. They are no longer children, yet they are not adults in the eyes of society. Adolescence can be defined as the period between the normal onset of puberty and the beginning of adulthood (12-19). Puberty is the physical maturing that makes an individual capable of sexual reproduction.

3. Adolescence as a distinct life stage is the creation of modern industrial society. It is not a universal phenomenon. Adolescence simply does not exist as a concept in many parts of the world. However, puberty occurs in all human societies.

4. The Concept of Adolescence In many preindustrial societies, young people go directly from childhood to adulthood once they have taken part in formal ceremonies known as puberty rites. These rites usually take place around age 13 or 14. Young people who successfully complete these puberty rites immediately become accepted members of adult society. Even though they are in their early teenage years, they can take on all adult roles.

5. Adolescence as a life stage is a relatively recent phenomenon. In the US, this stage did not exist prior to the Civil War. Before that time, young people were treated simply as small adults. The adolescent experience has become an acknowledged stage of development in industrialized countries in only the past century. Three factors have been particularly important in the development of adolescence as a distinct life stage in the US.

6. The first factor is education. State laws make education mandatory up to the age of 16, and most young people stay in school until they are 18. Those who attend college usually are in their early 20s when they graduate. For those people who pursue graduate degrees, educational requirements lengthen the time spent in school even more. Education extends the period of adolescence because many students are dependent on others for their financial support.

7. The second factor that distinguishes young people as a separate group is the exclusion of youth from the labor force. In most states, child-labor laws prevent people from working until age 16. When they do start working, most young people lack the training to compete for all but the most routine jobs.

8. The third important factor in the rise of adolescence as a distinct stage of the life cycle is the development of the juvenile-justice system. By distinguishing between juvenile and adult offenders, American society has created a separate legal status for young people.

9. Characteristics of Adolescence The experiences of adolescence are not the same for everyone. However, five characteristics generally apply to all adolescents.

10. Biological Growth and Development – Puberty is found in every society, it is universal because it is biological rather than cultural in origin. The brain and the endocrine system – hormone glands – control biological development. During early adolescence, individuals often undergo spurts of growth in height and weight as well as changes in body proportions. In addition, they experience the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics.

11. Undefined Status – Our society’s expectations for children are quite clear. The expectations for adults are also known. The adolescent expectations are often vague, however. While some adults treat adolescents as children, others treat them as adults. It is often difficult for adolescents to determine their status.

12. Increased Decision Making – Young children have most of their decisions made for them by adults. When children reach adolescence, they must make many of their own decisions. What courses should they take in school? What sports should they participate in? There seems to be no end to the decisions that must be made. Some of these decisions are of little long- term importance. Other decisions, such as choosing a career, have far-reaching consequences.

13. Increased Pressure – Adolescents are faced with pressure from many sources. Parents place curfews, yet want kids to have active social life and strong friendships. Thus, young people are under pressure to strike a balance between parental wishes and peer pressures. Pressure in school as well. -peer pressure -relationships -job-related pressures

14. The Search for Self – Adolescents are mature enough to think about themselves and about what they want out of life. Most teens can sort through their values and decide what things are really important to them. They can establish personal norms that will guide their behavior. They can also set priorities for their lives, such abilities are extremely important. When people know who they are, what they want out of life, and which values will serve them best, they are in a better position to make the most out of adulthood.

15. Preparing for future roles is one aspect of finding oneself. Thus, anticipatory socialization is quite an important part of adolescent development. Anticipatory socialization involves learning the rights, obligations, and expectations of a role to prepare for assuming that role in the future. A part-time job, club membership, and dating are three common forms of anticipatory socialization during adolescence.

16. These five characteristics of adolescence are quite general, and individual experiences may differ widely. Adolescents do not live solely in an adolescent subculture. For example, economic status, family composition, and place of residence can affect life during adolescence. Similarly, race, ethnicity, religion, and cultural heritage can make a difference in the kinds of adolescent experiences a person has.