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Block 3 Unit 4 Challenges and Issues in Adolescents Development

1. What are the various challenges of adolescence?

Adolescence is a period of significant change and adjustment. Some of the major challenges include:

• Coping with the loss of normalcy: Adolescents experience changes in their bodies, emotions, and social roles, which can be disruptive.
• Acknowledging sexuality: Adolescents grapple with new sexual feelings and identities, which can be confusing and anxiety-provoking.
• Change in point of view: Adolescents question existing norms and values, and seek to develop their own perspectives, sometimes leading to conflict with authority figures.
• High-risk behaviours: Adolescents may engage in experimentation with drugs, alcohol, and other risky behaviours.
• Shunning social interaction with parents and other adults, preferring to be with their peers, can also be a challenge.

2. How do youngsters cope with the loss of normalcy?

• The sources do not detail specific coping mechanisms, but imply that this period is challenging due to changes in self, family, and peer groups.
• Understanding that feelings of worry, fear and insecurity are normal during puberty helps adolescents to navigate this stage.
• The text suggests that understanding the physical changes they are going through can help them realise they are not alone in this journey.
• Supportive relationships with peers and other adults may also be important.

3. How to make youngsters acknowledge sexuality?

Parents and educators can support adolescents in acknowledging their sexuality by:

• Providing open and honest communication about sexual feelings and behaviours.
• Offering individualised sexuality assessments to understand their specific needs.
• Providing sex education tailored to individual needs.
• Utilising behavioural modification techniques to discourage inappropriate sexual behaviour and promote appropriate sexual behaviour.
• Helping them develop healthy attitudes towards their changing bodies and sexuality.
• Schools and professional help may be necessary for those experiencing distress or engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviours.

4. What are the various types of change in the youngster's point of view?

• During adolescence, there are significant shifts in perspective:
  • Questioning of authority: Adolescents begin to question the rules and standards of society, as well as authority figures.
  • Development of own values: They begin to form their own code of ethics and moral compass.
  • Focus on serious relationships: They are concerned with establishing meaningful romantic relationships.
  • Desire to be treated as adults: They want to be respected and have their views considered.
  • Increased self-regulation: Teenagers start learning self-regulation and are more able to accept social institutions and cultural traditions.
• Adolescents may also seek to distance themselves from the norms and values of their parents and other authority figures.

5. What are high-risk behaviours? Give suitable examples and discuss the remedial measures and preventive measures.

• High-risk behaviours are activities that can jeopardise the health and well-being of adolescents. Examples include:
  • Experimentation with drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
  • Engaging in reckless and adventurous sports.
  • Unprotected sexual activity, which can lead to sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.
• Engaging in such behaviours is often a way for adolescents to demonstrate their independence and maturity to themselves, their peers, and their parents.
• Remedial or preventative measures:
• Open communication and education: Providing open conversations and education about the risks of such behaviours may be effective as a preventative measure.
• Supportive relationships: Creating an environment in which adolescents have access to support, guidance, and understanding from parents, educators, and other trusted adults may help them to avoid high risk behaviours and to seek support if they need it.
• Professional help: Counselling and other forms of professional help may be needed for adolescents who are struggling with high-risk behaviour.

Important Points

1. The teenage has to deal with all changes at the same time which is extremely challenging.
2. Adolescents yearn to develop a unique independent identity separate from their parents.
3. Adolescents are able to love others tenderly and have a capacity for sensual love.
4. Adolescence is a period when a person changes in biological, cognitive, psychological and social characters.
5. Sexuality of adolescents makes the parents feel uncomfortable.
6. Self-esteem and personal dignity become important to adolescents.
7. Adolescents are a period that is full of challenges.
8. Adolescents in order to look good tend to starve and may develop eating disorders.