The Love of Excitement during Adolescence - Essay Example

?Order #501211 Topic: Analysis Adolescence ‘At no time of life is the love of excitement so strong as during the season of accelerated development ofadolescence, which craves strong feelings and new sensations,’ (Hall, 1904, p.368). This observation of Hall is still very evident in today’s psychological researches noting that as the physical attributes of a person changes during puberty so does his emotions. Strong sensation is high during adolescence affecting his attitude, sexuality and lifestyle. G. Stanley Hall is known as ‘the deluded man from the old days who is responsible for the myth that “storm and stress” is a universal and inevitable part of adolescent development’(Arnett2006). My goal in this paper is to analyse adolescence and youth of today as echoed in Hall’s “sensation-seeking adolescents” several decades ago. The reasons behind the innate aggressive behavior of males and females are examined. Sexual development is discussed to give light to the questions of heightened sexuality during adolescence. I will try to establish the link between sensation-seeking and risk behavior, especially the occurrence of confusions in adolescents. The different aspects of adolescents’ confusions on matters like physical changes, eating habits, and sexuality are viewed. Their desire to build their own identity keeps them at odd with their parents. They feel nobody loves them so they become closer to their friends. But sometimes, they fall victims to wrong companions and they are led to drugs, unreasonable behavior and other forms of vices. Peer pressure and family pressures are also discussed to unravel what’s going on inside an adolescent’s mind. Another controversial aspect is the analysis of the child’s sexuality. When is the right age for a child to indulge in a sexual act? What are the legal implications should they indulge in a sexual act before the age of consent? What causes the child to play with himself? Is masturbation normal? Also, would an adolescent be advised on the use of birth control? Is your child picking the right hero-worship idol? I intend to show the similarity between Hall and modern psychologists pertaining to the effects of inherited tendencies, cultural variation and the environment to the growing youth. Hall’s “storm and stress” view is examined in three key aspects: conflict with parents, mood disruptions and peer pressures. In all three aspects, evidence supports a modified storm and stress view that takes into account individual differences and cultural disparities. This paper will present research that both supports and critises the inherent nature of adolescents. The analysis of the case is achieved in three main sections. I will begin by giving the meaning of adolescence. ‘Adolescence is the process of changing from a child into an adult’ (Hurrelnan1994). Furthermore, rapid changes in body size and shape are the most obvious signs of approaching adolescence. Both girls and boys grow swiftly in height. ‘The arm and leg bones lengthen, and the chin and jaws develop so the face takes on a more mature look’ (Rice 1986). Finally, Hall’s observation of adolescence as a period of storm and stress is investigated before concluding. It is during adolescence that young people mature physically, becomes responsible and start to face the world on their own. ‘It usually begins at the age of 11 and 14, and continues six to ten years’ (Allen 1993). Physical changes are evident in their bodies. ‘The girl’s body becomes more rounded and soft, her hips broaden and her breasts start to develop. Her voice deepens and pubic hair starts to grow. On the other hand, the boy’s body becomes firmer and angular, his voice deepens, his shoulder broadens and hair develops in his body and feet. Sex glands mature in both sexes’ (Santrock 1987). These changes begin before puberty and differ from one person to another. ‘In both sexes, the reproductive organs gradually reach their adult sizes and functions during the first two-thirds of adolescence. These changes are caused by sex hormones – estrogens in girls and androgens in boys and are controlled by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain’ (Masterson 1994). This is the time when the sexual organs mature. With the increasing sexual maturity comes a growing interest in the opposite sex. With sexual maturity comes fertility. Females are now able to become pregnant and the males’ sperm can impregnate a female. ‘Sexual development during puberty is regulated by the release of hormones. The major control center that regulates the release of hormones in humans is the hypothalamus (a gland in the brain). The release of the hormone testosterone during puberty is associated with more aggressive behavior in males. Increase in estrogen (in females) and testosterone is associated with an increased sex drive or libido’ (Science Clarified 2007). Contributing to the confusion and depression felt by the adolescents are their transition from child to adult world. They are confused on how to deal with almost everything. ‘They are extremely conscious of their developing bodies’ (Rice 1992). ‘Some parts of the body grow more rapidly than others, creating a lack of balance and stability that often leads to awkwardness’ (Herbert 1987). The appetites of healthy adolescents increase during the first years of adolescence because rapid physical growth requires added nourishment. Television, computer, and video games contribute to adolescents’ inactive lifestyles. Being overweight could bring-in more problems. The most immediate consequence of overweight is social discrimination because during this period, teenagers are very conscious on how they look. ‘Acne often develops in adolescents’ (Powell 1987). Adolescents aspire to establish personal identity and to identify themselves with their own age group. ‘The right to choose their own companions often brings adolescents into conflict with their parents, who are not yet accustomed to thinking of their children as people capable of making decisions for themselves’ (Olney 1985). Parents’ uncertainty as to whether they should treat the adolescent as a child or as an adult confuses the adolescent. They still love to be pampered as a child but they also want to act like an adult at the same time. The way in which an adolescent handles these changes depend on his family’s attitudes and his peers’ feelings about issues, such as money, lifestyle and sex. Rapid changes in social attitudes put teenagers at odds with the older generation. One area of disagreement within the family is how much freedom the adolescent should have. Parents often feel that an adolescent is not mature enough to have the freedom he or she is insisting on taking. On the other hand, the adolescent’s insecurity may be expressed in violent reactions or may be a revolt against the rules set up by parents and by the adult society in general. Though both parents and child’s concerns are almost the same, each has a different way of dealing with it. This difference and sometimes, lack of understanding could lead to what we call a generation gap. This is the time when the child feels nobody in his family understands him. There are times when the adolescent’s simple rebelling is mirrored in his outlandish clothing and hairstyle, use of profane languages and spending more time with his peers. Activities such as sports and entertainment with friends are more enjoyable. ‘The adolescent may even chafe under the discipline of school, looking upon it as a restriction of freedom’ (Kergelmase 1987). While most parents understand this, it is often hard to be taken for granted by their children. This lack of balance works itself over the years, and new relationships between the generations develop. However, not all are able to resolve the conflict. Still some adolescents find it difficult to deal with the confusion of these years. They are attracted by the pleasures of adulthood but are usually unwilling to accept the responsibilities that go with such added privileges. Thus, some turn to the use of alcohol, marijuana and other consciousness-changing substances. They may find escape for a few hours, but their use creates deeper, if not bigger problems. The use of drugs and alcohol has damaging effects and cause emotional problems. Oftentimes, over use of these substances lead to accidents and other crimes. Adolescent boys and girls often disturb and perplex parents with behavior that seems strange and unreasonable. ‘Some of these behavior problems have a cultural rather than biological origin. Friction between the age groups is typical of the United States and other western cultures, where adolescence is rather prolonged preparation for adulthood. The friction is slight or nonexistent, however, in cultures where there are fewer social pressures and where the completion of puberty rites marks the end of childhood and clearly entitles the adolescent to recognition as a young adult’ (Hurrelnan 1994). In a western culture, the teenager is expected to accomplish several goals. They must learn to separate from family and to stand on their own, develop a strong sense of identification as a male or female, finish study and make a living. In the Philippines, however, they are more close-knit. Adolescents are advised to finish school, work, and stay with the family for protection and comfort. ‘As opposed to Italian, Hispanic and Jewish families, they do not strive to keep their adolescents close to home. In contrast, Portugese families while also expecting adolescents to make an early transition into adulthood, still prompt them to find employment and to contribute to the home financially, like adults’ (Bruggen 1986). Teenagers are often influenced by peer pressure. This is sometimes reflected in their choice of clothes, slang, entertainment and consumption change. They are often afraid to be left-out or “not belong” to the group so they will do what their peers are doing. ‘Popularity in the social group, accomplishment or failures in school, how one looks over the other of the same age, can cause anxiety. There is a social and family pressure to plan for further education and to decide on the work that one will enter and the adolescent is seldom clear about what he or she wants to do’ (Rice, 1992). Moreover, because of peers, adolescents are often among the first to utilise technology and modern gadgets that has been invented by the adult community. Sexuality is another area that can be confusing to the adolescents. Interest in the opposite sex grows; ordinarily beginning in a casual way. Later, interest focuses more seriously on one person. Puppy love and crushes may seem funny to adults, but they are helpful in the adolescent’s progress toward emotional stability. Out of curiosity and peer pressure, an adolescent may indulge in sex earlier than usual. ‘Nearly a third of 16 to 24-year-olds lost their virginity below the age of consent’ (One-Minute World News 2006). Age of consent for a sexual act varies. ‘In England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, 16 or older to have homosexual or heterosexual sex.’ (Advice 2010). What happens if you have underage sex? ‘The law sees it as sexual assault – it’s a criminal offence. This is because in the eyes of the law we are unable to give informed consent to sex when still a child. A boy who has sex with a girl under 16 (17 in Northern Ireland) is breaking law even if she agrees. If she is 13-15, the boy could go to prison for two years. If she is under 13, he could be sentenced to life imprisonment’ (Advice 2010). Child sexuality is ‘the sexual feelings, behaviors and development of children. Children are naturally curious about their bodies and sexual functions – they wonder where babies come from, they notice anatomical differences between males and females, and many engage in genital play or masturbation’ (WTFE 2011). ‘Masturbation is the chief type of sexual outlet during early adolescence at every social level. In fact, more than two-thirds of men have their first ejaculation this way, the most common way for them to start having orgasms’ (Koteskey 1987). ‘At puberty, the pituitary gland begins to send chemical signals to the testicles telling them to produce the male hormone testosterone. It is this hormone that is responsible for causing pubic hair, the penis and the testicles to grow. This hormone is also responsible for the developing sexual urges of puberty that may stimulate masturbation’ (TG 2011). Although not all teenagers indulge in sex physically and awake, there are some who are likely to experience orgasms while asleep. ‘This is called nocturnal emission or wet dreams. And men are mostly likely to experience this rather than women’ (Koteskey 1987). In this prevalence, adolescents should be more concerned about safety and birth control. If they were to indulge, they should know how to protect themselves against HIV infection, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. Adolescents love to experiment. It’s their curiosity and their sensation-seeking character that lead them to vices like drinking and illegal drugs. ‘The occurrence of depressed mood in adolescence is not a new discovery. Even during the time of Hall, adolescents are already involved in crimes, high sensation seeking, peer relations and biological development’ (Arnett 2006). ‘Many adolescents become somewhat disillusioned about adult institutions such as religion, politics, and the school system and family relationships’ (Rinzler 1985). What they have been taught to regard as honest and good is seen to be far less straightforward than they had taught. Progressively, as the adolescent matures, the value system and the weaknesses of all people are put into a more workable, useful perspective. It is also common for an adolescent to hero-worship a teacher or a movie star. The object of this worship may serve as a kind of substitute for the parent who seems to lack understanding. It is at this stage when adolescents are looking for his role model or his “idol”. If parents would be a stranger to his own child, then his child may turn his attention to someone who has more time for him. Life has many stages. Every person will go through it as long as he’s still alive. ‘They say the most difficult is during the early childhood or also known as the “terrible two” stage. It is at this stage where the child is mastering his skills in walking, talking and feeding by himself’ (Arenas, 2004). This is also the time when he’s quite hard-headed. But still, parents take time to rear for his child no matter how terrible he is. He teaches him how to walk and talk because he wants him to do the right thing. Same is true if the child reaches the adolescence stage. The parents should also take the time to guide him as he walk to his adulthood. The presence and guidance of the parents are very essential in making sure the child is picking his right role model. To sum it up, adolescents will always be sensation-seekers no matter what timeframe they live. It is inherent in a person to go through that stage because adolescence is a phase of life. Their being aggressive and thrill-seekers are controlled by their hormones. Even if they were born centuries ago, or fifty years from now, they’ll still experience the same physical and emotional changes. It is inborn, only God knows why. The inherent qualities of the adolescent are fixed but his reactions to these changes are variable. The reaction changes depending on the characteristic, trait and breeding of the adolescent. Many factors affect his reactions. Family, education, social status and experiences could dictate on how a person would behave as he tackles the different stages of adolescence. Also, the strength of the personality of the teenager would decide on how far he would take the risk. A simple teenager would be cautious in dealing with liquors, drugs and vices. A well-advised and God-fearing one would not even attempt to try them. But a stressed adolescent, even if he’s God-fearing and well-advised, could attempt to go otherwise depending on the situation he is in. In this case, parents should always be more supportive. Remember that adolescents are innate adventurous and rebellious. If he’ll not be guided properly, he might be influenced by his peers just to get the support of his chosen social group. Adolescents are confused so there is a chance that they might fall victims to the more dictating ones. There are many similarities between the observations of Hall and modern psychologists of today. One is the dominance of depressed mood among teenagers. Today, just the mere thought of being disliked by his friends or crushes would turn his mood into negative. It also happened centuries ago, only that the youth today are more vocal and daring in airing their discontentment. Hence, they sometime resort to using profane languages in expressing their side. Because of peer pressure, the adolescents of today are involved in crimes. Even school- age teenagers are reported to have killed a playmate or a classmate. If in Hall’s time it was the underworld or gangsters that the adolescents were affiliated with, now some adolescents are associated with syndicates or they do it solo. Sometimes they are doing crimes a mother wouldn’t imagine her child is capable of doing. Openness to media also influences the adolescence from causing violence. Because of their tendency to imitate or hero-worship a celebrity, they tend to duplicate what their idols are doing on-screen. What they see on TV is what they act on real life, believing that it was the best thing to do because that’s what his idol is doing. Even the print media can influence the behavior and actions of the adolescents. Feelings and emotions are stirred in reading erotic novels. Suggestive pictures and illustrations could also make or break an adolescent. And because the adolescent’s hormones are active and so their libidos. What they see is what they get. That’s the reason why media should really impose regulations to screen what’s fitting to a minor and what’s not. Parents should be more active in guiding their adolescents. Teenagers then and now have advance reasoning skills that allow them to see more than what meets the eyes. They should treat them well because like a true adult they have a mind of their own and not just blind followers. They may be confused and distorted at times but at the end of the day they come to terms with themselves and able to think what’s good and right for them in this imperfect world. Word count: 3,037 References Arenas-Carson, A2004, Introduction to psychology, understanding human behavior, Quezon City, Rex Printing Co., Inc. Arnett, JJ2006, ‘G. Stanley Hall’s adolescence: brilliance and nonsense’, History of psychology, American Psychological Association, vol. 9, no.3, pp. 186-197. Allen, CL1993, Teenagers are temporary, Borbour Publishing. 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