1. Sociology Ch.6
Adolescent in Society

2. Adolescence
Adolescence- Onset of puberty to beginning of adulthood-Ages 12-19
Modern Industrial Society has made Adolescence a distinct, separate life stage
Is Not Distinct in all Cultures
Puberty-Physical maturing that makes one capable of sexual reproduction

3. Adolescence
Preindustrial Society-Young People go From Childhood to Adulthood After Formal Ceremonies
“Puberty Rites”-Demonstrate Strength, File Teeth, Tattoo or Scar Skin
Adolescence as a Life Stage in United States
…Did not exist before Civil War
…Only in last 100 years has Adolescence become a stage of development

4. Adolescence 3 Factors in Development As Life Stage in USA
Education-Mandatory until Age 16
Excluded from Work Force-Can’t work Until Age 16
Juvenile Justice System-Distinguishes from Adults and Juveniles

5. Adolescence 5 Characteristics of Adolescents
Biological Growth and Development
Undefined Status
Increased Decision Making
Increased Pressures
Search for Self

6. 5 Characteristics of Adolescents
1. Biological Growth and Development
Puberty-Universal, Because it is Biological Rather Than Cultural
Controlled by Brain and Endocrine system (Hormones)
Acne, Primary and Secondary Sexual Characteristics
2. Undefined Status-Vague…Children and Adults have clear Expectations
-Can Marry at 16, Can’t Vote until Age 18

7. 5 Characteristics of Adolescents
3. Increased Decision Making- Make own Decisions, Short and Long Term 4. Increased Pressure-Rules…Parent, School, Jobs, Peers, Friends, Athletics 5. The Search for Self- Mature, preparing for future roles, Establish Personal Norms -Anticipatory Socialization- Learning Rights, Obligations and Expectations of a Role to Prepare For The Future-Jobs, Dating

8. Dating Dating- Meeting of people as a romantic engagement
Found in Societies that Allow Individuals to Choose Their Own Marriage Partners
Emerged in America After World War I
Only Studied Since 1940’s
Prior to Dating…Courtship, where Marriage is the Goal
Dating’s Goal is Entertainment and Amusement

9. Dating Courtship is not Flexible, Roles were Strictly Defined
Man asked Parents First
Men and Women were strictly Chaperoned, Under Close Supervision
What Created Dating?
-Industrialization, Men Did Not Need Property
-Free Public Secondary Education (Coed)
-Telephones and Automobiles

10. Dating
Willard Waller-Conducted one of The Earliest Sociological Analyses of American Dating
1920’s-1930’s-Penn State University
Casual Dating was Entertainment, not Mate Selection
Status Attainment and Excitement were Center of Dating
Partners Selected Because of Good Looks, Nice Clothes and Popularity
Courtship valued traits of Dependability and Honesty

11. Dating
Women Selected Potential Dates According To: Fraternity Membership, Money, Clothes, Cars, Dancing Ability
Goal-Not to Risk Social Status
Research Challenges Waller’s Research
Character and Personality
Homogamy-Tendency to marry people with similar Social Characteristics

12. Dating Patterns
Traditional Patterns- Still in Small Towns and Rural Areas
1940’s-1950’s- Arranging Date is Man’s Responsibility
Ritualized- Rules of Conduct/Expected Behavior
Set Activities-Movies, Sporting Events

13. Dating Patterns Contemporary Patterns- 1960’s Informal
Equality- To initiate Dates, Pay
Flexible- Relationships Based More on Group and Friendship

14. Amish Courting Buggy- Horse Drawn Carriage
No School/Outside Job…”Singings” Allow Men/Women to meet and Talk
No Divorce

15. Challenges of Adolescence
Sexual Behavior
Western Cultural View-Strict Norms Against Premarital Sexuality
American Cultural View-Form from Puritan and Victorian Views of Sexual Morality-
Wait Til Marriage
Changing Norms Increase Teenage Sexual Behavior -29% in 1970…50% in 1995
Birthrate in USA is Higher Among Teenagers Than Other Industrialized Countries

16. Reflection Read Article
Write Reflection-Based on Article and Your High School Experience
Do You Agree/Disagree with the Article? Why?
½ to 1 Page

17. Influences of Sexual Activity
Sociological Explanation-
Social Reasons- Family Income Level, Parent’s Marital Status, Religious Participation
Norms of Subgroups (Views on Sexuality, Drug Use and Delinquency)

18. Effects of Early Sexual Activity
Learning Disabilities
Emotional Stress
Lower Lifetime Earnings, Education
Babies Health (Birth Weight, Death Rate)

19. Drug Use
Drug-Any Substance That Changes Mood, Behavior or Consciousness
Now includes Alcohol and Tobacco
Drug Violence- Increased in 1980’s and 1990’s
Adult Criminal Gangs-Drug Trafficking

20. Drugs
United States has Highest Rate of Drug Use in Industrialized World
Influences-Friends/Peers Drug Use, Adjustment Problems, Hostile family Setting

21. Suicide Drugs/Alcohol Contribute to Suicide
Suicide Rate has Doubled in Last 3 Decades
Emile Durkheim Study-Suicide
Social Integration-The Degree of Attachment People Have to Social Groups
Very High and Very Low Attachment=High Rate
Place Needs of Group Above Personal Needs

22. Suicide
Social Disorganization-Low Levels of Integration (Economic Change, War, Natural Disaster)
Predictors- Alcohol, Age, Sex(Females Attempt More, Males Succeed More), Population Density, Family Relations, Cluster Effect, Triggering Event (Fear of Punishment, Loss/Rejection, Crisis, Fight)