Question

Question 1: To what extent is it accurate to describe the teenage years as “tumultuous?” Why or why not? provide examples of problems which could result in tumultuous experiences?

Answer 1

Adolescence or the teenage years are used to define the developmental period from 13 to 19 years of age. This is a crucial period in the development of an individual as it marks a transition from childhood to early adulthood. While the teen life is marked by a relative sense of independence and self-reliance, generally speaking teenagers across several cultures and societies are considered as not yet fully capable of functioning like their adult counterparts. And it is this ‘not quite’ children nor adult nature of their social existence which makes it quite accurate to describe the teenage years as a tumultuous or turbulent period of life.

Several instances of developmental issues or problems can elucidate on the turbulent nature of teenage years. These pertain to their experiences of conflict and developmental stress in family, in physical changes during puberty, social interaction with peers, school and community. For instance, teenagers become increasingly conscious of the development of certain skill based activities such as mathematical reasoning, mechanical, kinaesthetic abilities such as in dancing, sports activities, etc. Furthermore, the expectations from their teachers, parents etc leads to development of a self-concept based on one’s own abilities and performance. Hence, according to the psychoanalyst Erik Erickson, they gradually begin to desire a greater independence compared to the earlier stage of dependence on their parents and may wish to seek a greater emotional support outsid the family. However, the family may interpret their need for seclusion with antipathy consequently increasing the scope for conflicts within the household. Parents may often provide ambiguous messages about the spheres of activities where a greater independence and responsibility is expected from the teenager son or daughter such as in cleaning the house while restricting their ability to take initiative in some other matters such as choosing the dinner menu for the family. This creates confusion in the teenager about his/her status as an independent Or a dependent individual. Such a scenario can also negatively influence the teenagers already dwindling sense of self esteem.

Moreover, the teen years are also marked by physical changes in the individual’s body ranging from growth spurt, to maturation of the sex organs and sex hormones estrogen and testosterone, and development of secondary sexual characteristics such as changes in voice, facial and pubic hair, facial acne’s, etc. As the body undergoes transformation in the direction of adaptive sexual development, the teenage years put a large amount of stress on the individual’s experience of coping with his/her physical appearance and developing adaptive and positive affiliations and attraction for other teenagers, commonly of the opposite sex. Thus, the teenage years become additionally turbulent because of the unique pairing of their social needs for peer relations with their sexual development and interest in love relations. The fear of rejection and rapprochement from the peer group creates further cause of worry and it can negatively influence one’s emerging sense of identity.

These are some of the key examples which may shape the everyday experiences of a teenager and create rupture in the emerging sense of self. A healthy resolution to these social and personal tumults beckons a strong and positive engagement with family life along with an active participation in School and community such that the teenager can experience a sense of gratification and accomplishment in extending the boundary of his/her emotional and social ability along with his/her skill based learning.