The term “adolescence” originated from the Latin language – “Adolescere” which means – ‘development of fertility and maturity‘. This is the stage after childhood. The period of adolescence is between 13 and 18 years of age.
Adolescence is the stage in which the child becomes fully mature and he starts doing all kinds of tangible and intangible thoughts. This is the stage in which the feeling of love in children develops at a rapid pace.
This is the stage after childhood. After coming to this stage, children do not like to be alone at all, often they like to spend time with their friends.
Today we will discuss in detail the adolescence of children. This topic is very important for some examinations like – B.Ed, M.Ed, C.TET, U.TET etc. Hence, it requires your deep attention to understand the topic.
Definition of Adolescence
According to Mr. Ross – “Adolescents create and nurture the ideals of social service.”
According to Mr. Valentine – “Adolescence is a critical time of development of crime trend.”
According to Crow and Crow – “Adolescents represent the power of the present and the hope of the future.”
According to Mr. Jarshield – “Adolescence is the time in which the thinking person makes the transition from childhood to maturity.”
According to Mr. Johns – “Adolescence is a period of repetition of infancy.”
Keeping in view the various definitions –
In this stage, the development of the students takes place at a rapid pace. It is the stage in which the student progresses toward maturity. In this stage, girls develop at a faster rate than boys.
In simple words, in this stage, the physical, mental, social, and intellectual development of the students is at its peak. This stage is the stage of deterioration and improvement of the students.
(Stanley Hall considers this a period of new birth and he says that it is a period of pressure, conflict, and tension.)
Characteristics of Adolescence
- This is the most sex-oriented and the state of attraction stage.
- In this stage, there is all-round development (physical, mental, intellectual, social, cultural) of the students.
- This stage is the stage of logical and abstract thinking.
- In this stage, the tendency of social service is more visible in the students. At this time he starts taking more interest in social work.
- This is a period of change in students. In this stage, there is a feeling of tension, conflict, and pressure in the mental state of the students. – According to Stanley Hall.
- This is the most difficult period in the life of the students. At this stage, the rate of development is higher in girls than in boys.
- In this stage, the emotional development of the students takes place at a rapid pace.
In this stage, the child follows a loved one and starts incorporating his good and bad within himself.
It has also been observed that, In this stage, the tendency to look distinctive usually develops in the students. Due to this, they try to bring changes in their dress, food, and behavior.
Principles of Development in Adolescence
Theory of Evolution – According to this theory, the development of children takes place according to a sequence i.e. pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. The development of students takes place gradually in these different stages.
Theory of Accelerated Growth – According to this theory, the pace of development is faster in adolescence than in infancy and childhood.
Conclusion
Major changes come in a child with this stage, which helps them to move toward their future. In this stage, proper guidance of the students is very important, because it is this age that determines the future of the students.