THE CONCEPT AND NATURE OF ADOLESCENCE

Looking at the concept of adolescence from the historical perspective we would say that civilization and industrialization brought about the concept of adolescence. During the eras of Socrates, Plato and the likes the concept of what is now referred to as adolescence does not exist as Socrates and his colleague go to school with their swords which implies that they were already going about their life’s as an adult yet in the age bracket where the concept adolescence falls within. Alexandra the great also started his conquest at 18years of age when he help turn the tide of battle in the decisive Macedonian victory which defeated the Greek allied city- states during the battle of Charonea in 338 BCE.

It’s evident that what only exist then is just an aspect of what is now referred to as adolescence which is the puberty, and this period of puberty only last for about a period of 2years which after the pubescence is ready to take on the role/task of an adult.

As civilization and industrialization begin to evolve the concept of adolescence to emerge and this period is widely associated with the period of pursuing academic excellence, learning trade, and channeling the enthusiastic energy into event such as sport activities and social activities.

One of the major implication of civilization and industrialization in the emergence of the concept of adolescence is that it has prolonged the years of adolescence for examples in the education context an individual sees himself as an adolescence all through the period of his/her academic career.

In recent times adolescence has been conceptualize as a period of rapid physical and emotional changes, characterized by stresses and tensions as the child strives to establish an individual identity on the journey from dependence to independence.

Adolescence is a trying period associated with psycho-social stress and storms. It is critical period in life in which the adolescence is neither taken as an adult nor taken as a child. This therefore creates social-psychological guilt in the life of the adolescent. Fayombo (2004) refers to this as being caught in between two worlds.

According to Jersild (1996) “adolescence is that span of years during which boys and girls moves from childhood to adulthood, mentally, emotionally, socially and physically”. This is a period that both boys and girls begin to wear a new look.

In like manner Chauman (1996) posit that “adolescence is a process rather than a period, a process of achieving the attitudes and beliefs needed for effective participation in the society”.

From the above giving definition of adolescence some factors appears to be common in defining the meaning of adolescence, these factors include biological (puberty), social and psychological changes. Among all these factors the only factors that seems easier to objectively measure is the biological factors.

Chronologically, adolescence comes roughly between the age of 12 and early 20’s. Puberty has been heavily associated with the onset of adolescent development (Clinstie 2008 & Hall 2008) pubertal changes have somewhat lay constraint on defining the time frame in which adolescence occurs (potter, 2000).

The onset of adolescence varies from one culture to another depending on the socio-economic status of the country but the hallmark of the onset of adolescence is that it is mark with great bodily changes of both boys and girls.

According to Sokan and Akinade (1994) during adolescence period, both boys and girls gain increase in weight and skeletal structures. The digestives system becomes more mature and spacious. The heart grows bigger about 10 – 12 times its size at birth. The coronary arteries and veins grow only moderately. The brain reaches about 95% of adult brain weight. Vital capacity of male lungs is greater than that of girls”.

AUTHOR: AWUJOOLA OLAOLUWA

REFERENCE: Afussat Olanike Busari (Ph.D) Psychology of Adolescence For Colleges And University, published 2010 in nigeria by Glory Land Publishing Company 66, Gbadebo Street, Mokola, Ibadan.

Ancient History Encyclopedia

photo credit: getty images

Support Us