WEEK 5: The Adolescent Years

Chapter 8 dives into the characteristics of adolescence. It begins by giving us a list, on page 186 and 187, of signals that can show us when this period of growth begins. The physical developments include the menstrual cycle, pubic hair, growth spurts and a change in in hormones. Aside from the body developing, the brain is developing cognitively. As stated on page 191, adolescents begin to enter and master Piaget's formal operational stage. They begin to "think abstractly, reason logically, exhibit hypothetical thinking and combine groups if concrete operations." This means that adolescents can think on a larger scale and into abstract thoughts about themselves and their environments.

 Socially, they begin to form relationships with other people, that are not family members. This goes in hand with developing a self-identity. They begin to distance themselves from their parents and try and become more independent. Peer relationships can have both positive and adverse effects on a growing preteen /teen.

I feel like this chapter has a lot of overlapping ideas. Adolescents develop on all fronts, nearly at the same time. As they develop physically and cognitively, they are also building friendships and relationships. At teh same time, they are trying to figure out who they are and how to act in their environment. Sexual development is also big. They are developing physical characteristics and one of the signals was that kids begin to think about sex. If this is complicated just learning about it, remember the time when we were living it and how confused we were then.