What Is Special About Adolescence? (From Psychosocial Disturbances in Young People: Challenges for Prevention, P 3-36, 1995, Michael Rutter, ed. - See NCJ-167699)

• NCJ Number: 167700
• Author(s): A C Petersen; N Leffert
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 34 pages
• Sale Source: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter reviews research on normal adolescent development, as well as cross-national evidence for problems during adolescence, and proposes ways to enhance the opportunities and minimize the problems of adolescent development.

Abstract

Change and transition characterize adolescence, particularly changes in the biological, cognitive and psychosocial domains. These changes are largely positive; e.g., increasing strength and reproductive potential, increased self-understanding, and identity development. However, rates of problem behaviors also increase. The chapter examines how adolescents can simultaneously experience increasing problems and increasing positive development. While lack of opportunity appears to be the major barrier to positive development in lower-income youth, the social context contains more influences on individual development. Among the major factors are: family structure; maternal employment; parenting style; within-family variations such as birth order; peer groups; neighborhoods; school; and work. References