1. Adolescence in Society

2. Terms  Adolescence: period between normal onset of puberty and beginning of adulthood.  Puberty: physical maturing that makes an individual capable of sexual reproduction.  Puberty occurs in ALL humans and societies.  Adolescence is NOT universal… some societies go from childhood to adulthood with no transition.

3. Adolescence in the United States  Is definitely a stage of life  Occurs between the ages of 12-19 on average.  Has a general affect on future of groups and individuals.

4. Factors that developed adolescence in the United States  Education: mandatory to at least 16 in every state.  Exclusion from workforce: child labor laws prevent kids from working legally until 14 or 15.  Juvenile justice system: separate legal status

5. Biological Growth & Development  Puberty occurs biologically so all humans are affected.  Growth spurts in height and weight  Development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics.  Changes in complexion; voice; physical appearance.

6. Anticipatory Socialization  Learning the rights, obligations, and expectations of a role to prepare for assuming that role in the future.  Examples: playing “house” as a child… “cops and robbers” etc.  For adolescence… clubs, part-time jobs, sports, and dating are anticipatory socialization.

7. Teenagers and Dating  Dating: meeting of people as a romantic engagement.  Courtship: dating with the express purpose of marriage in the future.  Dating continuum: a continuum of casual dating, steady dating, courtship, engagement, and marriage.  Homogamy: marry people who have social characteristics similar to your own.

8. Purpose of Dating  Entertainment (casual dating)  Mechanism for socialization (Learning appropriate roles and behaviors)  Fulfills psychological needs such as companionship  Helps to attain status  Spouse selection (later stages)

9. Dating Patterns (norms)  Roles and responsibilities: males asked out females… paid for date expenses. Female is responsible for her manners and behavior.  Contemporary dating have no set stages.  E-dating is more and more popular; very different from traditional dating styles.