Adolescent Development Brochure. Education Research Paper

Adolescent Development
Adolescents Friendship and Peers
Stages in Adolescent Development
Adolescence involves the stage of transition from childhood to adulthood. This stage starts from age 10 and ends at age 21. The different sub-stages of the adolescent are as follows (Spano, 2004):
* Early Adolescence (from age 10-14)
This is the earliest stage of adolescence. During this stage, the individual starts to become independent through improved expression using speech, emerging identity, paying less attention to parents, and improved importance of friendship. The individual also gains an interest in career and starts to experience sexual maturity. They also experience physical changes in terms of increased growth in height and weight; girls develop breasts and start menstruating while boys experience growth in testicles and penis, among other things. They also start experimenting with alcohol and drugs. They may, therefore, start skipping school or study.
* Middle Adolescence (from age 15-16)
As part of becoming independent, individuals in this stage become self-involved, are cautious about their image and appearance, become more withdrawn from parents, and may experience sadness as a result, and are more concerned with making new friends. They also attach more importance to intellectual interests and start developing anxiety about their academic performance. However, they have a lot of aggressive energy which if not well-channeled, may be directed into school fights and other aggressive behavior. They become more interested in moral reasoning and can set goals. They also start choosing role models, based on their ideals. In terms of sexuality, they become concerned about being sexually attractive and they also develop feelings of love. They change relationships regularly and are more aware of their sexual identity/orientation. In terms of physical changes, girls experience a decline in their growth while boys continue growing in height and weight.
* Late Adolescence (from age 17-21)
Individuals in this stage are more independent as they become more self-reliant, expressive, and can make decisions independently. They also have a stronger identity they start thinking about what role they play in life, as well as how their future will look like. At this stage, they can set goals and work towards achieving them and they provide important insights on different issues. Self-esteem gains importance. At school, they may engage in non-academic activities that can build their careers, such as participating in a club. In terms of sexuality, they are more focused on serious, stable relationships and have a clear sexual identity. Their capacity for love also increases. In terms of phys...