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Chapter 5:
THE EXPERIENCES
AND CHALLENGES
OF MIDDLE AND
LATE ADOLESCENTS
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Chapter 5:
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Name and explain experiences and
challenges during adolescence.
2. Understand the responsibilities of an
adolescent.
3. Identify and discuss the expectations
from adolescents.
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The developmental tasks of

adolescence that Erikson outlined
in Chapter 4 include the
Experiences and development of a sense of mastery,
identity, and intimacy. Others have
Challenges during added the establishment of
autonomy, management of
Adolescence sexuality and intimacy, and finding
a niche for oneself in education
START and work.
Experiences and Challenges During Adolescence

Physical and Cognitive Psychological

Biological Challenges Challenges
Challenges

MANAGE REPORTERS
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Physical and Biological Challenges

Adolescence begins with the first event of
human maturation referred to as puberty. During
this stage, the adolescent experiences dramatic
changes in the shape and appearance of their
bodies, an increase in gonadal hormones, and
changes in brain architecture. These biological
changes, which affect emotions, occur due to
the release of sex hormones.
Experiences and Challenges During Adolescence

Physical and Cognitive Psychological

Biological Challenges Challenges
Challenges

MANAGE REPORTERS
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Cognitive Challenges
In his theory of social development Jean Piaget,
known for his work on child development, posits
that adolescence is the time when young people
develop cognitively from what he called “concrete
operations” to “formal operations”. Adolescents are
able to form their own ideas, concepts, and abstract
theories. With their acquired skills they would be
able to develop confidence in the latter part of this
stage.
Experiences and Challenges During Adolescence

Physical and Cognitive Psychological

Biological Challenges Challenges
Challenges

MANAGE REPORTERS
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Psychological Challenges
The major psychological challenge that the
adolescent must cope with is moving from
childhood to adulthood. A new person is emerging
for whom rules change, more responsibilities may
be given, and a certain standard of behavior is now
required to be maintained. Accountability is
becoming an expectation from both a parental and
legal concept.
EXPERIENCES AND
CHALLENGES
Middle and Late Adolescence

1 2 3 4 5
Movement toward independence

1
Middle Adolescence (Approximately 15-16 years of age) Late Adolescence (Approximately 17-19 years of age)

• Self-involvement, alternating between unrealistically • Firmer identity

high expectations and poor self-concept • Ability to delay gratification
• Complaints that parents interfere with independence • Ability to think ideas through
• Extremely concerned with appearance and with • Ability to express ideas in words
one’s own body • More developed sense of humor
• Feelings of strangeness about one’s self and body • Stable interests
• Lowered opinion of parents, withdrawal from them • Greater emotional stability
• Effort to make new friends • Ability to make independent decisions
• Strong emphasis on the new peer group • Ability to compromise
• Periods of sadness as the psychological loss of the • Pride in one’s work
parents takes place • Self-reliance
• Examination of inner experiences, which may include • Greater concern for others
writing a diary

SUB TOPIC Part 1

EXPERIENCES AND
CHALLENGES
Middle and Late Adolescence

1 2 3 4 5
2
Future Interests and Cognitive Development
Middle Adolescence (Approximately 15-16 years of age) Late Adolescence (Approximately 17-19 years of age)

• Intellectual interests gain • Make defined work habits

importance • Higher level of concern for
• Some sexual and the future
aggressive energies directed
into creative and career • Thoughts about one’s role
interests in life

SUB TOPIC Part 1

EXPERIENCES AND
CHALLENGES
Middle and Late Adolescence

1 2 3 4 5
3
Sexuality
Middle Adolescence (Approximately 15-16 years of age) Late Adolescence (Approximately 17-19 years of age)

• Concerns about sexual • Concerned with serious

attractiveness relationships
• Frequently changing relationships • Clear sexual identity
• Movement towards • Capacities for tender and sensual
heterosexuality with fears of love
homosexuality
• Tenderness and fears shown
toward opposite sex
• Feelings of love and passion

SUB TOPIC Part 1

EXPERIENCES AND
CHALLENGES
Middle and Late Adolescence

1 2 3 4 5
4
Ethics and Self-Direction
Middle Adolescence (Approximately 15-16 years of age) Late Adolescence (Approximately 17-19 years of age)

• Development of ideals and • Capable of useful insight

selection of role models • Stress on personal dignity and self-
• More consistent evidence of esteem
conscience • Ability to set goals and follow
• Greater capacity for setting goals through
• Interest in moral reasoning • Acceptance of social institutions
and cultural traditions
• Self-regulation of self esteem

SUB TOPIC Part 1

EXPERIENCES AND
CHALLENGES
Middle and Late Adolescence

1 2 3 4 5
5
Physical Changes
Middle Adolescence (Approximately 15-16 years of age) Late Adolescence (Approximately 17-19 years of age)

• Continued height and weight gains • Most girls fully developed

• Growth of pubic and underarm hair • Boys continue to gain height, weight,
• Body sweats more muscle mass, body hair
• Hair and skin become more oily
• Breast development and
menstruation in girls
• Growth of testicles and penis
• Nocturnal emissions (wet dreams)
• Deepening of voice
• Growth of hair on face in boys

SUB TOPIC Part 1

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Adolescence is somewhat difficult

Common to both the adolescents and their
parents. The best way to deal with
Problems of their needs and problems is to
know about them and be ready to
Adolescents face them. The following are some
of the most common problems that
(adapted from the article of Gongola, adolescents are facing and the
Sagari, 2017; https://momjunction.com)
possible solutions to deal with
START them.
 Common Problems of Adolescents

Physical Emotional Behavior Substance Use Academic

Changes changes and changes and Abuse Challenges
problems

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Physical Changes
Problems Possible Solutions

• Development of full breasts in girls • The best way to help a teenager get
can be awkward in the beginning. through the stage is to make them
Girls may start to feel conscious about aware of these changes.
their figure. • Explain that it is normal for the body
• Change of voice and appearance of to change as every teenager goes
facial hair in boys is perhaps the most through it!
prominent change that takes place • Help them adapt to these changes -
during adolescence. acknowledge the change and help them
accept it.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Physical Changes
Problems Possible Solutions

• • Acne is one of the major problems. • Enable them to stay healthy and fit
• Muscle gain sometimes leads to through a nutritious diet and exercise
excessive body weight in teens.
• The growth of pubic hair in girls and
boys.
• Body odor becomes evident.
• Girls start their periods.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Common Problems of Adolescents

Physical Emotional Behavior Substance Use Academic

Changes changes and changes and Abuse Challenges
problems

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Emotional Changes and Problems
Problems Possible Solutions
• Teenagers are often confused about • Help them take care of themselves.
their role and are torn between their Tell teenagers that it is okay to feel the
responsibilities as growing adults and way they are feeling.
their desires as children.
• Encourage them to exercise as
• They tend to feel overly emotional physical activity helps keep the
(blame it on the hormones). Just about serotonin (creates good feelings and
anything and everything can make happiness) levels up.
them happy, excited, mad or angry. • Let them talk. Listen to them without
judging and avoid giving them advice
when they are not ready for it.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Emotional Changes and Problems
Problems Possible Solutions

• Adolescent girls are vulnerable to • Share your experiences of puberty or

crying. let them talk to an older sibling who
• Mood swings are common among has gone through the same. It will
teenage boys and girls. emphasize that it is okay to feel the
way they do.
• Bodily changes result in self-
consciousness. • Indulging in a creative activity can
help them channelize their emotions.
• Children who hit puberty early may
even feel weird.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Common Problems of Adolescents

Physical Emotional Behavior Substance Use Academic

Changes changes and changes and Abuse Challenges
problems

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Behavior changes
Problems Possible Solutions
• Adolescence is the time when kids • Behavioral problems in adolescence
develop and exercise their independence. can make life difficult for parents. But
This can give rise to questioning the remember that it is a passing phase,
parents' rules (seen as argumentative) entirely normal.
and standing up for what they believe is
right (seen as stubbornness). • Gaining a teen's trust is important if
you want to help him with behavioral
• The raging hormones in teenage boys
can even push them to get into physical
issues. Talk to him/her and listen to
confrontations. They would also want to what he/she have to say. Do not judge
listen to loud music. or criticize them, as it could worsen
their behavior.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Behavior changes
Problems Possible Solutions
• As a part of their new found independence, • Parents/Elders must let the teenager
adolescents may also want to try new things know that he/she is loved just as he/she
and take risks, resulting in careless behavior.
is. Encourage him/her to be true to
• Sometimes, peer pressure and the need to themselves and not take on a
'fit in' can make them behave in a certain personality just to please others.
way or develop certain habits that are hard
break. • Parents/Elders will have to intervene
• The teen's dressing, hairstyle, and sense of if teenagers seem to be falling into bad
fashion also change, mostly to something company. Remember that adolescents
that adults may not approve of. are sensitive and may not take criticism
well.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Common Problems of Adolescents

Physical Emotional Behavior Substance Use Academic

Changes changes and changes and Abuse Challenges
problems

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Substance Use and Abuse
Problems Possible Solutions
• Peer pressure is one of the significant • Keep an eye on a teen's behavior.
factors that drive adolescents to take up Look for erratic behavior and change in
smoking and drinking or to do drugs. his/her appetite, sleep patterns, and
• The tendency to take risk encourages moods.
most teens to try smoking or drinking • Do not spy on them or accuse them of
even before they are of legal age. any wrong doing. Encourage them to
• What may start as a 'thrill', can talk and be honest. Tell them what your
become a habit if it remains unchecked. concerns are and discuss the problem
with them.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Substance Use and Abuse
Problems Possible Solutions

• If there is somebody who smokes or • If the teen is not willing to talk to

drinks at home, they can become your you, you may take them to see a doctor
teen's role models. who can ask subtle questions to know
• Poor self-esteem and the need to be if they are using any substance. Avoid
'cool' can push adolescents to smoke going as far as a drug test, as that may
or drink. come across confrontational and
threaten the teenager. If necessary, get
• Easy access to substances like the adolescent the appropriate
cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, and treatment.
anabolic steroids may increase the
temptation to try illicit substances.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Common Problems of Adolescents

Physical Emotional Behavior Substance Use Academic

Changes changes and changes and Abuse Challenges
problems

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Academic Challenges
Problems Possible Solutions

• Pressure to perform academically • Support the teenager's aspirations for

and obtain college admission can be college education as what they need is
stressful and make a teenager moody. the encouragement to do well.
• Juggling school work, extra- • Cut down their household chores to
curricular activities (must for college enable them to focus on their school
admissions) and chores at home can projects when needed.
be tiring. • Nutrition and exercise can help them
• Distractions at school can result in get the strength and endurance they
poor academic performance, which need to get through the hectic high
will add to the pressure. school period.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Common Problems of Adolescents

Health Psychological Social Sexual Health Cyber

problems problems problems – problems Addiction
dating and
relationships

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Health Problems
Problems Possible Solutions
• Teenagers have a hectic schedule as they hop • Ensure they get nutrition through
from one activity to another with little time to their meals. Give them a balanced diet.
eat or rest properly. Unhealthy eating habits
prevent them from getting the nutrition they • Be there for them emotionally and
need. physically as this will help them deal
• Consciousness about their body can lead to with any possible disorders.
eating disorders, especially in girls. Adolescent
girls who worry about their weight and • Lead by example and encourage the
appearance can develop disorders like children to eat healthy food, exercise
anorexia or bulimia. Stress can also lead to loss right and sleep on time.
of appetite and sleeplessness in young children.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Common Problems of Adolescents

Health Psychological Social Sexual Health Cyber

problems problems problems – problems Addiction
dating and
relationships

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Psychological Problems
Problems Possible Solutions
• Teenagers may have self-esteem or • Most of the time, talking about the
confidence issues. The feelings of problems and maintaining a healthy
inferiority or superiority often arise lifestyle can prevent the onset of
from their appearance, and depression.
acceptance of their body – skin color,
• If a teenager is overly moody and
beauty, and figure. cynical, it is time to intervene and seek
• Poor performance in academics and professional help if necessary.
low IQ can also demotivate them.
They develop the ‘I’m not good
enough’ attitude towards life.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Psychological Problems
Problems Possible Solutions

• Depression is one of the common • Sometimes, a teenage girl or boy may

psychological problems associated be unhappy only at home, and doing
with adolescence. fine outside. Talk to his/her teachers
• The stress and pressure of and friends to know if they are moody
adolescence can create anxiety related and disoriented at school as well. If
issues, while mood swings can lead to they are, then it is a cause for concern.
conduct disorder or oppositional • Do not brush away their feelings, as
defiant disorder. that can make things worse.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Common Problems of Adolescents

Health Psychological Social Sexual Health Cyber

problems problems problems – problems Addiction
dating and
relationships

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Social problems - dating and relationships
Problems Possible Solutions
• Teenagers want to have an identity of their • Dating, romance, and sex are delicate
own. They tend to look up to role models at issues that a teenager may not be
home or outside.
comfortable talking about. Don’t make
• Adolescents also start thinking about what it more awkward. Be confident and
is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and question your take rational when discussing the subject.
on certain things.
• They need time to understand and get
• A teenager may seem to spend more
comfortable with their sexuality. Girls and time outside than at home. Accept that
boys start experiencing ‘weird’ feelings adolescents are discovering a whole
towards the other sex and may not know new world. Just let them know you are
what to do about it. there when they need you.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Social problems - dating and relationships
Problems Possible Solutions
• This is the time they start dating. An • If you’re the adult, sharing your
adolescent may not be comfortable talking dating and social life experiences in
about it and may go with little information school can put them at ease sometimes.
or misinformation they have about it.
• Competition is another important aspect
of a teenager’s social life. He/she may
compete with peers in about anything and
everything. Their spirit of competition
speaks a lot about their perception of self –
whether they have a positive self-esteem or
a negative one.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Common Problems of Adolescents

Health Psychological Social Sexual Health Cyber

problems problems problems – problems Addiction
dating and
relationships

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Sexual Health problems (Unplanned Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Illness)
Problems Possible Solutions
• Adolescence is the time when teens • Parents/Elders must have ‘the talk’ with
experience their first kiss, the intimate their teens as they may already be learning
dance with their ‘boyfriend’ or about sexual health and reproduction at
school. It is a parent’s responsibility to ensure
‘girlfriend’ and secret make out that they understand the importance of safe
sessions. sex.
• Without proper guidance, teenagers • The hormonal changes in teenagers may
may become sexually active before they make them act impulsively. The teen may not
are ready. This could result in like it but it is important that parents talk to
unwanted pregnancies. Unwanted them about the consequences of unprotected
pregnancy is the biggest risk that sex and how it can change their life.
adolescent girls face.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Sexual Health problems (Unplanned Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Illness)
Problems Possible Solutions

• Unprotected sex can also lead to • Awareness is the only way to prevent
sexually transmitted diseases like HIV. early pregnancies and sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) in
adolescents.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Common Problems of Adolescents

Health Psychological Social Sexual Health Cyber

problems problems problems – problems Addiction
dating and
relationships

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Cyber Addiction
Problems Possible Solutions

• A teen may seem to spend hours on • Do not assume that a teenager is addicted
phone, texting, talking or simply to the internet just because he or she
playing. spends a lot of time in front of the
computer. They could be doing more
• Adolescents addicted to the internet productive things on the system other than
tend to have fewer friends and a less surfing the net.
active social life. They lead solitary
• Do not say ‘no’ to the internet. That will
lives and are happy browsing the only make them adamant. Instead, talk
internet for hours. about your concerns and help them work
on other things that do not require a
computer.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Cyber Addiction
Problems Possible Solutions

• Addiction to cyberspace also cuts • You could use parental controls, but that
short their physical activities, may not be taken well by a teen –
resulting in an unhealthy and remember that they are not kids anymore.
sedentary lifestyle. At the same time, they may also not have
the judgment to make the right choices.
• Internet addiction adversely impacts Parents/Elders must guide them, but must
academic performance. never decide for them.
• Enroll them in activities that encourage
them to interact with others. Have family
activities that will make them want to
spend less time at the computer.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Common Problems of Adolescents

Aggression Psychological Social Sexual Health Cyber

and Violence problems problems – problems Addiction
dating and
relationships

MANAGE REPORTERS
 Aggression and Violence
Problems Possible Solutions
• Adolescent boys can get into fights at • Children tend to imitate what they see
school. at home. The following remedies for
• Worse, they could start bullying others, problems of adolescence will help
which is a major problem that adolescent abate aggression, violence and related
boys and girls have to deal with. issues.
• Boys may fall into bad company and be • Teach children to be kind and
drawn to acts of violence, vandalism, and considerate. Nurturing relationships at
aggression. They could be easily swayed home can help them become less
to own or use a firearm or a weapon too. aggressive.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

 Aggression and Violence
Problems Possible Solutions

• Impulsive acts of violence can lead to • Prevent access to firearms and alcohol
serious consequences, including death. early to prevent violence.
According to the WHO report, • Teach them life skills and the
interpersonal violence causes around importance of compassion. Lead them
180 adolescent deaths around the by being their model.
world.
• Avoid exposing them to violent
• Teenage girls are likely to suffer stories, games or movies at an age
violence or aggression by a partner. when they cannot differentiate between
what is right and wrong.

SUB TOPIC Part 1

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