Adolescence

The term adolescence comes from the latin word ' adolescere' means 'to grow' or 'to grow to maturity'.
The term adolescence has a broader meaning that is physical, mental, emotional and social maturity. The adolescence period is between 13 and 18 years of age.
Adolescence shows the following characteristics:-
1: It is the most period of life-- Adolescence is one of the period in, which both immediate effects and long term effects are important. It is important from both physical and the psychological point of view.

2: It is transitional period-- It is a passage between childhood and adulthood. Childish things are put away and new patterns of behaviour are learnt.

3: It is a period of change-- Physical changes, changes in attitude and changes in behaviour also occur in this period. social and moral changes also occur in this period.

4: It is a problem age-- Boys and girls do not struggle independently with their own problems. They are not confident about solving problems. They except their parents to be with them.

5: It is time of searching identity-- In the early years of adolescence, conformity to a group is still important to boys and girls. Gradually they begin to search for an identity. It is by use of, status symbols like cars, clothes, money etc. and maintaining their identity with peer groups.

6: Absence of Realism-- Adolescence has a tendency to look at life through rose-tinted glasses. They see themselves and others as they would like them.

7: Secondary sexual characters-- In adolescence there is development of secondary sexual characters in both the sexes, e.g. In males, increased muscular and bone growth causing increased height, deeping of voice and appearance of hair on face, chest and over the pubis etc. While enlargment of breasts and broadening of buttocks due to fat hormones at puberty.