Volume 2 : Issue 3 (2015)

ADOLESCENCE: THE STAGE OF TRANSITION

This article examines the important transitory stage in human life i.e. adolescence- a life stage, that lies between childhood and adulthood. Beginning around 10, 11 or 12 years, adolescence concludes between 18-21 years of age. It is a stage, when complete metamorphosis takes place and is akin to a butterfly emerging from its cocoon which in its former stage is a caterpillar! The speed of adolescent changes varies among cultures and societies since they are contingent on the processes of socialization, training and education. Key developmental milestones are achieved during adolescence and in order to understand adolescents it is important to understand their physical, cognitive, psychological, socialemotional, moral, educational and vocational development and the ensuing changes. Sex differences exist between boys and girls when we examine all these factors. The end of this tumultuous period entails physical and sexual maturation, social and economic independence, development of identity, acquisition of skills needed to carry out adult relationships and roles, and the capacity for abstract reasoning. Parents, teachers, peers and the significant others in the adolescent’s environment have to be supportive and empathetic of the turmoil that they go through to enable a smooth well adjusted transition into adulthood.

adolescence, adolescents, human development, child development, child, childhood, adulthood, cognitive, social, emotional, moral, development, vocational, late maturer, early maturer, transition.

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