The Characteristics of Adolescents Essay -- Papers Young Adults Teenag

The Characteristics of Adolescents Works Cited Not Included Adolescence, the period of life between childhood and maturity, may be regarded as one of the most crucial stages through which the human individual passes in his journey from conception to death. For many, it is seen as the key stage in development. Changes in physique and the maturation of the reproductive system bring with them associated changes in emotions and the whole pattern of psychological characteristics is restructured as the individual strives to attain a sense of identity. Development in intellectual functioning provides the adolescent with the ability to question himself, his family, his world, and his values (Garrod, Smulyan, Powers, and Kilkenny, 1992). Adolescents begin to develop principles- not necessarily those that adults would like to have them develop- but nevertheless principles of conduct. They are deeply influenced by "what is done" among their peers or among people slightly older than themselves, whom they respect. Adolescents tend to revolt against whatever code of morals may be in vogue in their corner of the world, and they can become completely obsessed by almost any moral problem. They are normally prejudiced and uncompromising in whatever attitude they adopt. This stage of growth is a difficult one for them and for everyone else, but perhaps it is necessary as a step from the unthinking acceptance of childhood to the independent thinking of an adult. During this period, the adolescent is an unreasonable creature. He does a good deal of hard thinking, accompanied by endless hours of talking with his peers, about his philosophy of life. Int... ...cult to engage in discussions about problems that affect them, and less likely to respond on a feeling level than young women. Being the mother of two children, aged twenty-one and nineteen years of age, I am aware of how a youth's characteristics would impact on our session. I have never had a problem dealing with adolescents, as I am consistently interacting with teenagers on a regular basis. Therefore, I am familiar with the problems that might be addressed during therapy; such as the fear of disclosure, inability to see problem behaviours, and their view that counselling is punitive. As a result, I would use various micro skills that I have acquired over numerous years to make sure the counselling environment was as comfortable for the adolescent as possible, therefore allowing them to discuss their problems.