Development Training

ADOLESCENCE

Adolescence means "to grow up" is a transitional stage of physical and psychological human

development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood (age of

majority). The period of adolescence is most closely associated with the teenage years, though its

physical, psychological and cultural expressions may begin earlier and end later. A thorough

understanding of adolescence in society depends on information from various perspectives,

including psychology, biology, history, sociology, education, and anthropology. Within all of these

perspectives, adolescence is viewed as a transitional period between childhood and adulthood,

whose cultural purpose is the preparation of children for adult roles. It is a period of multiple

transitions involving education, training, employment and unemployment, as well as transitions

from one living circumstance to another.

The end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood varies by country and by function, and

furthermore even within a single nation state or culture there can be different ages at which an

individual is considered (chronologically and legally) mature enough for society to entrust them

with certain privileges and responsibilities. Such milestones include driving a vehicle, having legal

sexual relations, serving in the armed forces or on a jury, purchasing and drinking alcohol, voting,

entering into contracts, finishing certain levels of education, and marriage. Adolescence is usually

accompanied by an increased independence allowed by the parents or legal guardians and less

supervision as compared to preadolescence.

In studying adolescent development,[16] adolescence can be defined biologically, as the physical

transition marked by the onset of puberty and the termination of physical growth; cognitively, as

changes in the ability to think abstractly and multi-dimensionally; or socially, as a period of

preparation for adult roles. Major pubertal and biological changes include changes to the sex

organs, height, weight, and muscle mass, as well as major changes in brain structure and

organization. Cognitive advances encompass both increases in knowledge and in the ability to

think abstractly and to reason more effectively. The study of adolescent development often

involves interdisciplinary collaborations. For example, researchers in neuroscience or bio-

behavioral health might focus on pubertal changes in brain structure and its effects on cognition or

social relations. Developmental psychologists might focus on changes in relations with parents

and peers as a function of school structure and pubertal status.

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