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Unit 15 Families with Teenagers

1. Briefly define the term adolescence.

Adolescence is generally considered to be the period of life that begins with the onset of puberty and extends till adulthood. The ‘teen years’ (13 to 19) are included in adolescence. The term adolescence is derived from the Latin Verb adolescere, which means ‘to grow into adulthood’. Thus, it spans from puberty till the taking on of adult roles and responsibilities.

2. What are the possible implications for health of sexual risk taking behaviour during adolescence?

Sexual risk-taking behaviour during adolescence may lead to major health problems in the teenagers including sexually transmitted infections, HIV/ AIDS, teenage pregnancy and abortion.

3. Write a short note on identity formation during adolescence.

As propounded by Erikson, identity formation is a primary developmental task during adolescence. The adolescent strives to resolve the ‘crisis’ of identity versus role confusion (also known as identity confusion), that is salient during this stage of life. Adolescents seek to develop a coherent sense of self and a distinct identity, with clarity about their goals, values, and beliefs; including clarity about their role in society. The extent to which they develop a clear sense of identity, or end up with identity confusion, influences their ability to cope with psychosocial issues of adult life. In reality, the process of developing a sense of self and identity commences much before adolescence, and is seldom fully resolved by the end of teenage. Rather, identity formation continues throughout adult life.

4. ‘At times grandchild and grandparent, especially during adolescence, develop a special kind of relationship.’ Do you agree with this statement?

Yes.

5. “Family bond is a not a strength in Indian parent-adolescent relationships”. Comment on this statement.

The given statement is not true in the Indian context. The parent-adolescent relationship is strengthened by the family bond which extends from birth till death even though at times the bond may seem to be weakening especially during adolescence. The relationship is supported by love and sharing, as well as unstinted support in the course of their life expectations, failures and achievements.

6. Write in brief about the impact of mass media on teenagers.

Teenagers today have easy access to pornography and sexually explicit materials through internet. An emerging issue and challenge of contemporary times is the glamourization of sex in the mass media, with sex almost shouting at adolescents from cyber cafes, cinema halls, bill boards, advertisements, magazines and so on. Mass media also tends to foster violence and an unhealthy body image.

7. Citing examples from your socio-cultural background, analyse the role played by family in the development of adolescents.

Families play a crucial role in the development of adolescents by providing a stable and supportive environment, guiding them through the transition from childhood to adulthood, and offering cultural and moral values. Within many socio-cultural contexts, families ensure that adolescents receive an education, learn life skills, and understand cultural traditions. Families also act as a support system for their adolescents while dealing with peer pressure and life changes. Families also provide financial support and create an environment of mutual respect and love, and will share their own life experiences. The family is the child's first learning environment and will shape their personality.

8. ‘Peer group exerts more pressure and demands more obedience from the teenagers’. Do you agree with this statement? Support your argument with examples.

While peer groups do exert significant influence on teenagers, the statement that they 'demand more obedience' is not always accurate. Peer pressure can indeed lead teenagers to conform to certain behaviours or attitudes in order to gain acceptance within their peer group. However, this is not the same as obedience and is more about social conformity. For example, a teenager might feel pressured to participate in risky activities or adopt certain styles of clothing or language in order to fit in with their peers. However, many teenagers will have very strong opinions and will be assertive about their desires and interests with their peer group. So the type of influence will depend on the nature of the relationship between the peer group and the teenager.

9. What are the problems that are commonly experienced in the domain of adjustment by families with teenagers?

Families with teenagers often face a variety of adjustment issues.

• Communication breakdowns are common, as teenagers start to assert their independence and may be reluctant to share their feelings or experiences with their parents.
• Parental authority and control is often a source of conflict, with teenagers resisting rules and boundaries set by their parents.
• There may be increased conflict and arguments as teenagers seek greater autonomy, sometimes leading to power struggles.
• Differences in values and beliefs can emerge, as teenagers develop their own viewpoints, which may clash with their parents' perspectives.
• Families need to adjust to the teenager's changing social life, as they spend more time with peers and less time with their family.
• Parents also need to adjust to changes in their teenager's physical, cognitive and emotional development.
• Emerging issues such as drug abuse, delinquency and suicide can be a significant challenge for families with teenagers.