Problems of adolescents - Research Paper Example

? Problems of adolescents Problems of adolescents The key concept in this discussion paper is an in-depth analysis of the transitional stage of growth experienced between puberty and adulthood popularly presented as the start and ending point of teen age. The paper dwell on the problems associated with the persons who fall in this category of classification, challenges faced in handling these hiccups and responsive behaviors exhibited by these adolescence to attempt to counter balance the disequilibrium as a result of such voids created by these challenges. Adolescent age usually begins from the age of thirteen and wind up at nineteen. This age bracket is usually referred to as the teenage period. Although this stage is short lived, it sis a period characterized by vigorous maximum physical growth, mental development and emotional maturity. Both the internal and external aspects of development are visible. In fact, nearly all the physiological changes of human growth are completed at this bracket. In common scenario, this group is known for emotional imbalance, naivety and an overwhelming quest for adventure. As their emotions starts to balance, it is impossible not to notice appreciable level of intelligence, reasoning, thinking and appreciating of the environment surrounding them. Their memory seems to be so fresh and intact always perceiving things out of the ordinary, strong concept of creativity, well acquaintance with group associations and generalization. An adolescent is always challenging and questioning every thing a bout existence but feels a great sense of pride of achievement and satisfaction should their views be recognized on a discussion forum or any topic. This period is also characterized by so much joy and happiness alongside aspirations and adventures they would never want to miss. One moment this lad is in such lovely mood and the next instance he/she bursts in tears .As their emotions experience development, it is believed this is the reason why most seem to have such imbalances (Clemente, 2009). At any level of social interaction, this group would do anything to outshine her/his peers as their feelings are at maximum. Fro then, there exists a universal internalized way of understanding feelings o others who also belong to the adolescence bracket. This understanding is readily exercise on the opposite sex who they feel so eager to interact with .Consequently, in their endeavor to win the admiration of the opposite sex, they display ego centered interactions however with some checked adjustments in character to cover up their big ego. For an average adolescence, there exists a natural recognition of norms and values determined by the society and knowledge of moral respect of God and belief inexistence of heaven for good people (Adams, 2005). For any household with an adolescence amidst them understands that to this person, there is defined new era in interaction occasionally accompanied by rebellion, mood swings and switched attention from the family members to wards his/her peers. Parents only become very concerned when the new era practices becomes a negative aspect of growth i.e., occurring too frequently than those they observe from children of family friends. Parents constantly feel challenge by such an unbecoming behavior and some even become emotionally affected .It is thus important to establish the general causes of such behaviors by discussing the main problems associated with an adolescence age (Clemente, 2009). To understand these underlying problems then we must dwell on normalcy ands deviation from normalcy. To understand an onset of truancy, you will notice a continuous boredom. To cover up for such boredom, the adolescent may be tempted to engage in risky activities like stealing, driving without license, being involved in drug abuse, indiscriminant sexual exploitation and at the extreme engage in physical fights. However, the above are just symptoms of degeneration thus the paper attempts to dig deep into the root causes of these symptoms (Clemente, 2009). Personal appearance Personal appearance is an art of an individual presentation of dressing style, grooming, and sometimes displayed behavior. Adolescents are very conscious of their appearance and constantly spend more time in grooming themselves than in any activity. For females in this category, the art becomes so personal and is viewed as a way of showing maturity among the peers. They start wearing extreme makeover in their fantasy world. If they cannot afford such ‘luxuries’, some may resort to either stealing their mother’s or creating one lie after or petty dishonesty in family budgeting in order to makeup for their extremely extravagant taste for spending what they don’t own. At any cost an adolescent concentrates on satisfying the urge to outshine peers in fashion and trends in the market .In an attempt to fill such an urge, the adolescent may turn attention from his/her basics to activities that may satisfy this feeling of keeping to the top of the peers (Adams, 2005). Adolescents have the tendency to get emotionally involved in varied situations as it’s at this stage of personal development that their emotional development is high. They especially, get it difficult in most cases when they are corrected and often want to do things their own way. Due to unstable emotional balance they always feel either unappreciated when their demands are not met. Their pride cannot easily accommodate no for an answer thus will always be moody when in their opinion feel that the family considers them outsides. To compensate for these constant mood swings, they opt for attention from their peers who being in their age bracket may be of poor influence in behavioral growth and developments. Emotions become the centre point of interactions within this age group. In addition, these moods control their pride and view of life convincing them that in real situation things should be done the way they aspires. Emotions if not controlled may be a serious threat to family unity, respect of norms and values of the society. Though issues attached to these emotions are minute, they may explode out of proportions and strain the always delicate relationship between an adolescent and the parents. Their insensitiveness to some extent is even extended to their parent’s relationship in a bid to win support of one of the parents over another. In addition, if this plan succeeds, one of the parent will be undermined especially the father (Adams, 2005). Unrestricted emancipation As their creativity develops, most adolescents think, act and behave in away suggesting that their freedom is being pressed down by the society. They would rather prefer leisse faire rule to their parents strict discipline policies denying them sovereignty in actions and interactions. In a response to parental rule, they formulate selectively hidden communication conducts only understood amongst themselves should their notice any signal of disapproval of misbehavior from parents. In addition, to them, freedom is of greater value than that attached to’ same old fashioned’ guidelines of family code of conduct (Clemente, 2009). Economic independence Being emotionally fragile, they are easily influenced by the ever evolving fashion trends very expensive to live within. These teenagers exhibit extravagant misplaced priority spending to cover up for an undiscovered identity and fit in an ideal acceptable peer group of their fantasy. Most parents cannot afford to maintain such an extravagant form of identity satisfaction, thus straining relationship between them and their teen age sons and daughters. On one side, adolescent feel their parents are not satisfying their needs, and on the other, parents are worried by the strange spending habits admired and practiced by their inexperienced children who expect to be given all the things they demand for (Adams, 2005). Social adjustments Each and every child is brought up in a unique way in their family. Every behavioral ethic imparted on them at young age is treated as the acceptable ideal value of the society. However, at school going age, they interact with peers from other families. Different behavioral exhibitions freely interact with one another. Due to the mutual understanding existing among their peers undergoing the same emotional development; there is constant adjustment of emotions to fit in an ideal group f their choice. In this process, some may end up acquiring strange behaviors unacceptable to the family or the society. If she or he cannot uniformly and timely adjust to what is acceptable, there exists a strong possibility of tension within the family framework and if not soberly handled may end up molding a dishonest rebellious mindset in that child. This teenager may end up in a serious maladjustment in handling interactions away from the family (Clemente, 2009). Generally, adolescents are shy of any good study habit and are very reluctant to follow up issues related to their academic life. Stringent but flexible study guide is thus important for the academic and responsibility development when one is still at this transition point from childhood into independent adulthood. When a sense of responsibility is inculcated and internalized in this young mind, positive self actualization accompanied by confidence in interaction among peers but at the same time will guard acceptance of unbecoming behavior (Adams, 2005). Most of moral decays existing in the adolescent are as a result of influence from peers, television, and family disputes. Parents who may have their children displaying the above interaction, malfunctions should seek advice of a professional councilor who may evaluate the situation and give further direction on countering the problem. Tentatively, parents can join parenting teens programs and short courses where they get first hand information on experiences of handling an adolescent access information on the best models that work substantially to limit strains on parent-child relationship as a remedy for future diversion of rebellion .These programs run concurrently with the law as each participant is trained on the limits of controlling freedom but at the same time managing a sense of responsibility and discipline in the family (Clemente, 2009). In addition, depending on the circumstances surrounding the unwelcomed behavior, parents should maintain constant open discussion on all issue surrounding growth and development of young minds. When there exists a cordial interaction between a parent and a child, every new experience away from the family setting is discussed .Parents who are close to their teenage children may easily know the problems their sibling is facing in time to offer appropriate solutions compatible with desires of adolescent (Adams, 2005). Several books in parenting have been developed to help coach children through the transitional integration into adulthood. The future of a child seriously depends on the environmental factors surrounding the life and creativity at the teenage. It is during this period when the youngster is either absorbed into the society as a focused inspired person or a rebellious passive undecided person. These books which tackle nearly all the problems systematically is the best asset a concerned parent should own as part of family asset. With the basic rules well explained, the parent is in apposition to read, interpret and understand the key concepts of appreciation of these changes rather than viewing them as a curse to family happiness. After all, this is just but temporary stage of growth and development ranging from seven years to nine depending on the sex of the adolescent or rate of growth. As the technology advances, some of these books have been developed into audio and video media easily and practically understandable for a busy family. Teenagers can also be encourages to watch such programs a long the parents (Adams, 2005). Moreover, parents should motivate their adolescent to be actively involved in social services and talent development avenues like sports, painting, adventure and voluntary social services .These activities will keep them busy and limit access to negative peer influence. If well practiced, these co curriculum activities may become even a career. In relation to this, parents should encourage this group to be active in religious aspects of life known to cultivate a sense of moral uprightness and intra or inter personal discipline. In conclusion, many adolescents involve themselves in very risky adventures unknowingly of their gravies consequences on the moral and personal development. Out of ignorance, some have ended up in rehabilitation centers as a result of drug addiction. It is prudent to make this group feel accepted and accorded enough emotional support and attention at this stager of life filled with strong urge for adventure References Adams.G, B. (2005). Blackwell handbook of adolescence. New York: Wiley-Blackwell. Clemente.R, S. C. (2009). Adolescent Health: Understanding and Preventing Risk Behaviors. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Read More