The term Adolescence is derived from the Latin verb adolescere, which means to grow into adulthood. The scenario is well captured in a famous comment- Adolescence begins in biology and ends in culture.” In simple terms it can be defined as a transition between childhood and adulthood. In India, as stated in the youth policy (Planning commission) Adolescents are those in the age group of 13 to 19 years; whereas adolescent girls are considered to be between 11 to 18 years. Internationally, including most United Nations agencies like WHO, UNICEF etc., the age group of 10-19 is considered. In familial context in India, the crucial nature of teenage has been recognised even in ancient texts such as, Dharamshastra, with specific codes of conduct prescribed for the phase. The scenario in India is rendered somewhat different from that in West by the fact that in India, mostly young people tend to continue to stay in the family during the teen years, and even later during adulthood, particularly in the case of extended or joint families. A variety of factors including gender, socio-economic status, geographical location (urban, rural, tribal), and educational level contribute to vastly different life circumstances for the teenagers and their families.
Cross cultural view point:
Cross-cultural differences are also evident in the construal of teenage or adolescence. In the developed Western nations, for instance, an adolescent is referred to as a ‘teenager’, and pictured as reckless, irresponsible and rebellious (Brown & Larson, 2002) In the Indian context, a common term used to refer to adolescents is ‘Youth’.
Developmental Characteristics of Teenagers:
Teenage is a phase of life characterised by rapid development changes- in physical, cognitive as well as socio-psychological domains. While the physical and biological changes during teenage or adolescence are universal and take place due to maturation, the psychosocial and behavioural manifestations are determined by the meaning and implications of these changes within the specific socio-cultural milieu. The experiences of individuals during the teen years are significantly influenced by the norms, values and practices of the society and culture of which the family is the microcosm.
Physical Health and Nutrition:
The period of teenage or adolescence is generally considered a healthy period of life. However, the modern day lifestyle and pressures are taking their toll on the physical and mental health of adolescents. Headache, stomach-ache, backache, feeling tired and low are amongst the frequent health problems. Depression among teenagers, particularly among females, is emerging as a major health hazard in contemporary times. It needs to be taken seriously rather than being dismissed as ‘passing teenage blues’. Teenage depression is associated with a variety of physical health problems and negative health outcomes such as risky sexual practices, pregnancy, violent behaviour and suicide.
Missing meals and food fads are common. ‘Junk’ food of low nutritive value is popular, and peer pressure leads to erratic eating behaviour. Lack of consumption of nutritious, balanced diet leads to vitamins and mineral deficiencies such as anaemia. Instances of both undernutrition and over nutrition(obesity) are common. Other areas of concern are sexual risk taking behaviour, peer pressure and depression may lead to major health problems in the teenagers including HIV, teenage pregnancy and abortion. Substance abuse during the adolescence is another vital area of concern.
Adolescents are able to think about possible outcomes for experiences they have not yet had. They become more self-reflective and self-conscious. In fact, adolescents are often quite egocentric. They often assume that everyone is focussing on, and thinking about, the same thing as they are thinking about-themselves which is the phenomena of ‘imaginary audience’ and ‘personal fables’.
Psychosocial Development and Identity formation:
As propounded by Erikson, Identity formation is the primary development task during adolescence. They strive to resolve the crises of Identity versus role confusion. Adolescents seek to develop a coherent sense of self and a distinct identity, with clarity about their goals, values, and beliefs, including clarity about their role in society. In reality, issues concerning one’s identity continue emerging throughout adult life, and as a result, the process of identity formation extends well into adulthood.
Most adolescents have one or more close friends with whom they like to spend most of their free time. These peer interactions are an important development during adolescence. Acceptance by peers and popularity among them is considered highly salient by the teenagers. In order to give priority to the fads of the current peer groups. Excessive conformity however can have negative connotations.
Apart from contributing to the growth spurt, the hormonal changes during adolescence also tend to contribute to the emotional vicissitudes during this period. Frequent shifts in mood, hypersensitivity, and rude emotional outbursts are commonly reported. In fact adolescents themselves admit their inability to control their emotions, and feeling guilty subsequently about their behaviour.
Challenges and emerging Issues of families with Teenagers
It was considered that even though teenagers turn to peers for companionship, it is the parents that they consider as the primary ‘pillars of support’ in life. (Chadha,2010) Whereas in today’s scenario, the differential values, competencies and coping style of parents and teenagers are a source of stress and anxiety both for parents and adolescents (Verma and Saraswathi 2002). Some of the key challenges and issues are:
- Adolescents live and grow in families- family bonds are getting weaker.
- Adolescents are demanding changes in family rules and routine.
- Peer groups more than parents dictate personal behaviour.
- Effects of changes in family structure and maternal employment on adolescents are evident- there is less adult/maternal supervision.
- Sexual equality and freedom in relationships acquiring not just social, but also political overtones.
- The media has overpoweringly pervaded every household. Teenagers in cyber households spend a lot more time using the internet, watching television and playing games than interacting with their family members. Thus there is unmonitored exposure to sex and violent laden games which can be detrimental for the psyche of the adolescents.
- Poor eating habits of adolescent comprise another common issue that families with teenagers in the present timers have to control with. Immense peer pressure, as well as the portrayal of utopian body image usually contribute to the problem.
To conclude, it is important to emphasize that during teenage, parent-adolescent conflicts comprise a vital area of concern and reckoning. They need to handle the situation with maturity, sensitivity, understanding and warmth.