Chap. 1: theories of adolescence

Question 1

what is Adolescence?

Answer 1

• the period after puberty begins and before adult roles are taken on
• the transition b/w childhood and adulthood

Question 2

what are the 3 stages of adolescence?

Answer 2

• early adolescence: 11-14 yrs old
• middle adolescence: 15- 18 yrs old
• late adolescence: 19-22 yrs old or later

Question 3

what shapes our understanding of adolescence? (5)

Answer 3

• personal experience
• cultural norms
• peer group affiliations
• exposure to
• developmental theories

Question 4

explain the time periods of adolescence over time

Answer 4

• Ancient times (4 century BCE):
  
  • boys were trained outside the home before becoming full citizens as adults (16-30 yrs old).
    
    • Girls were trained in the home to become marriageable but they never became independence adults
• Preindustrial Europe (5th-16th century):
  
  • “life cycle service” and cross fostering
  • adolescents would leave their house and go live at somebody else’s house
• The Enlightenment (18th century):
  
  • childhood and adolescence as life stages that should be valued for themselves, not simply stepping stones to adulthood
• 19th and early 20th century Canada:
  
  • many people moving to cities

Question 5

what is the definition of transition?

Answer 5

a period of growth and change that is set off when something disturbs an earlier balance. the “something” may be biological, psychological, cultural or physical

Question 6

what are the 2 types of transitions?

Answer 6

1. Normative: changes that most adolescents go through roughly at the same point in their development (ex: puberty, graduating, first dates)
2. Idiosyncratic: changes that take place at unpredictable points during adolescence (ex: parental divorce, serious illness)

Question 7

what are developmental tasks?

Answer 7

• the skills, attitudes, and social functions that a culture expects members to acquire at a particular point in their lives

Question 8

where is adolescence going today?

Answer 8

• schooling for all
• urbanization
• virtuous and vicious cycles
• the scourge of HIV/AIDS
• necessities and survival and growth

Question 9

tell me about 20th century teens

Answer 9

• increased focus on education
• age stratification taken to a new level
• the impact of the great depression was poverty and hardship but also increased school attendance

Question 10

what are the basic survival skills every adolescent needs?

Answer 10

• Ongoing caring relationship with at least 1 adult
• social support systems
• social competence and life skills that allow them to make informed plans and choices about their future
• preparation to become active members of their nation and communities
• belief in a promising future