ELPIDA Course - English

The term 'adolescence' refers to the mental maturity process after puberty. In this stage the person is confronted by different developmental tasks. We want to answer these three important questions so that you understand adolescence more:

• How does the identity develop? (2.2.1)

• How does the youngster develop their own future? (2.2.2.)

• How to become independent and autonomous? (2.2.3.)

“Adolescence is a stage of life, where juveniles have to deal with physical changes, have to detach themselves from their parents and build new relationships to their peer group, to integrate their sexual needs and to develop new social and first professional identity.” [4]

2.2.1. Development of an independent identity - How does the identity develop?

"When the adolescent process (search for identity) is completed - in adolescence it continues in a more modest form - independent life and gradual, constructive integration into society begins, which is characterized, among other things, by the multifaceted formation of self-chosen relationships”. [5]

The realisation "I am an independent human being" is an important step on the way to adulthood. On the psychological level, your own orientation is no longer based primarily on the values and way of life of your parents, but on people and things outside the family. The idols of childhood give way to the stars and starlets from media; hairstyles and looks are compared extensively to those of friends and classmates. The views of parents are continuously questioned.

At the cultural level, a personal lifestyle develops that often fundamentally differs from that of the parents. It is possible that from one day to the other the pink girl's room gives way to a black cave or music taste changes completely.

See also "identity" in the Sexual health module.

2.2.2.  Development of a life perspective and life planning - How do youngsters develop their own future?

Your own life planning and prospects of further life are among the things that often change in the course of childhood. Career wishes vary from engine driver to astronaut. In adolescence, plans must become concrete. The adolescent develops their own intellectual and social competences that enable them to autonomously fulfil school requirements and later professional qualifications. Career choice and family planning are very important to young people in planning their paths even today. [6]

• Job and Occupation

Towards the end of school education, the topic of a career choice becomes important. The emphasis is on the material level, a financial and economic independence and thus financial independence from the parents. The focus is on personal abilities and career opportunities among other things. Young people evaluate their own career aspirations.  Recommendations by parents and teachers are considered as per their feasibility and social acceptance. [7]

In the final decision both parents and friends only play an orienting function. There is a strong desire for more information and practical experience in the run-up to career decision. 

• Living

The next step is spatial separation from the parents, the first home of your own. This step often takes place later in life, because of lengthy training periods and the difficulties in finding a job. What's more, young adults today stay much longer in their parents' homes than before. This may have economic reasons because housing is scarce and expensive. It is also possible that the urge for an early move is not present anymore.

• Family

Starting your own family is also often delayed in favour of career. [8] They see their own family as a place of social retreat. Even if the starting a family is pushed further back in life today, it is still a desired goal. Until you have your own family, parents usually remain the first point of contact in times of crisis.

• Friendship, peer group (clique) and relationship

To belong to other people, being part of a group and to understand yourself as part of society play an important role in developing a self-image and for well-being. In adolescence, relationship with friends become more important. It makes it possible to try different roles and "identities" within a protected framework, the peer group, and it is also an irreplaceable test field for practicing principles of reciprocity, such as negotiating or sharing opinions. As a result, independent values, different from those of parents can emerge - an important developmental task. [9]

Additionally, youngsters receive validations and security from friends’ as well as support in case of conflicts with parents and/or school. Support in the peer group facilitates emotional detachment from parents. Friends help with separation and search for a lifestyle of your own. In conflict situation, the juvenile is usually opposed to their parents. Recognition by their friends and belonging to a group are more important to them. Standards and admiration of the peer-group are more important than the taste of the parents; anyone can understand this, who has ever discussed about trendy dress styles with a teenager. [10]

Another important task on the path to personality is examining your role as a male or female: What is considered gender-typical in your group determines the framework of personal development. [11]

How friends behave in dealing with the opposite sex, what older group members do and what the parents have exemplified are the reference points the model of the young person is oriented to.

In the peer group, all topics that are of interest to the group, including career choice, are discussed. If a young person wishes to engage in some activity that is not gender specific, the group can employ some pressure on you to adhere to the specific role. In cases like this you require stable support from parents and a strong personality to follow your own plans. In a stable relationship, in case of important life issues, parents always remain to be contact persons. [12]

During adolescence, the initial common “black and white” view becomes somewhat moderated. The ability to accept counter-arguments and to form a complex judgment increases with mental maturity. An adolescent who can engage in discussions with others, reflect on contradictory statement, and express their own opinion has made a big step towards their own personality.

Another important task is to learn relationship skills. Important questions during this task are: "How do I get in touch with other people and start a relationship?", "How do I maintain friendships?", "How close do I want the contact to be?", "How do I deal with crashes?" Different degrees of intimacy and friendship are important learning points in this field. [13]

 2.2.4. Becoming independent and autonomous - How to become autonomous?

The evolution of independence starts with the first steps of the child; for the little ones it can be a play afternoon with friends without parental supervision or spending your pocket money as you wish. For older ones this extends to overnight stays with their best friend, weekends with their friends and the first holiday alone without guardians; teenagers prepare for their own lives.

An essential developmental task is to tackle school and professional challenges in an increasingly self-reliant manner. The more tasks are successfully mastered, the more self-confidence can develop.

Areas of "mental autonomy development" can be summarized as:

• Detachment from the parents

• Further development of your own identity

• Building your own ethics and values and acting accordingly

• Development and stabilisation of behaviour, thinking about and experiencing, as well as dealing with your own age 

• Developing a future perspective with the aim of becoming materially independent and exercising a profession

• Taking on adult social roles, e.g. through employment, choice of a partner, partnership and marriage, as well as parenthood