Academic assignment ForTjimuhiva kemuvazere m.lStudent no: 2018340310 And Enock t. lumeneStudent no: 2018206815 Table of content PageDefinition of Adolescence…………………………………………………………………………. 3 Physical and Psychological implication………………………………………………………. 4Social and Emotional implication………………………………………………………………..
5Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6Reference list…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7Title: A discussion on the changes experienced by adolescence and their physical, psychological, social and emotional implications. Adolescence is like having only enough light to see the way forward in front of you.
It is a time where children belief that everything around them is centered and focused entirely on them, they see and think that they are right all the time and according to them that’s a rule rather than an exception and unfortunately, the world opens up and they start to realize that it’s not the case as they are forced to assume adult life. This essay will give a brief insight into what adolescence life is and also briefly discuss the social, emotional and physical challenges they face and how we can help them go through it. Definition of adolescenceAdolescent can be defined as a transition from childhood, to a greater world of adulthood. It is a very fascinating, interesting and challenging period of human growth and development.
It is a period of great physical, social, emotional and psychological change. It is a time when you are considered neither a child nor an adult. Adolescence are characterized by a great search for and a consolidation of identity. (Mwamwenda, 2004).It is really a period where we are obliged to make decisions. Decisions either good or bad that will impact our life forever.
According to Lindon (2005, p. 17) adolescence can be defined biologically, as the physical, emotional and cultural transition marked by the onset of puberty and the termination of physical growth; cognitively, as changes in the ability to think intellectually and multi-dimensionally; or socially, as a period of preparation for adult roles and for a broader perspective.Physical implications According to Smith, as children transition into adulthood, their bodies go through a series of changes during a process known as puberty. These changes are of vital importance and as a result necessary, as they ultimately make children capable of reproduction. However the process of going through puberty is often a confusing time for the child, as some of these changes seem to occur overnight (Smith, 2007). Girls and boys experience their growth spurt at different periods in their life stages.
In the opinion of Mwamwenda he believes that girls experience their growth spurt about two years ahead of boys. This occurs because girls are born with more mature skeletons and nervous system than boys. During early adolescent breast buds appear, followed by the growth of pubic hair. The uterus, vagina and breast increase in size in preparation for motherhood. The labia and clitoris become larger. These changes culminate in the menarche, a young woman’s first menstruation. Boys experience a greater increase in muscle size and muscular strength than girls, as well as other physiological changes that may account for their being able to do more demanding physical activities and to run faster and longer. They experience an increased in height, the testes and pubic hair show rapid growth in size and width.
The voice box becomes bigger and the tone of the voice deepen (Mwamwenda, 2004, pp 60, 61 62). Psychological implicationsIt is of great importance to look at self-concept and sexual behaviors in relation to the changes experienced by both boys and girls. It is not easy for adolescents to accept the changes they experience, as they reach sexual maturity. A good number of adolescents become dissatisfied with their physical appearance, while others are quite happy with the way they look, claims Hedge (2000). She also petition that the way family members and her peers view the physical changes they are experiencing plays a determining role in how adolescents perceive themselves. If their attitude is positive, it will contribute to a positive self-concept, but if it is negative, it will contribute to a negative self-concept (Hedge, 2000, pp 34). Furthermore, the adolescent’s view of the changes will be colored by how well prepared he or she is for such changes, and whether or not these things fulfil his or her childhood expectations, states Hedge.
Social implicationsAs stated in the World Health Organization (WHO) report of 2014, Adolescent are very much keenly interested in matters relating to sex and like to give the impression that they know quite a lot about it. At times this could be to impress their peers. Research also shows that they are not that well informed on some matters of importance, particularly birth control and the use of contraceptives. As conformed by Davis (1983), adolescents tend to hang out in groups and he claims that groups can lead to peer pressures and also lead to undesirable behavior such as drug taking, involvement in criminal activities, drinking alcohol and involvement with street gangs. However he confess that there are a number of advantages of association with peers, one important one is that adolescent with the help of their peer are emancipated from their parents control. Emotional implicationsIn consequence adolescents experience many emotions as they relate to their parents, their peers, their teachers and society at large. Boys and girls worry about sexual development, about being underweight or overweight, and about their schoolwork and examinations.
They are also afraid of the dark, of strangers, of certain animals, of being alone and of social relations. And according to Mwamwenda (2004), their emotions maybe aggressive and inhibitory (fear, anxiety and worry) or joyous. He claims that during adolescent year’s outburst of anger and physical violence are common, however as they grow older they tend, to be calm and learn to control their aggressive behaviors.ConclusionAdolescence is a period of searching for ones identity in terms of vacation, ideology and sex appropriateness. . It is a period that needs great care and special attention.
They have their moments of happiness, disappointments and sorrow. It is important that teachers and parents understand adolescent so that they can facilitate the transition they are experiencing, according to Mwamwenda (2004). References:Davis R. (2017).
Adolescence: A Period Needing Special Attention. Retrieved 29/08/2018 from https://www.Recognizing/adolescent.com/psychological-social changes Hedge T. (2000) Teaching and Learning in the Classroom. New York. Database right Oxford University Press Lindon J. (2005).
Understanding Child Development: Linking Theory and Practice. Virginia. Cuddesdon College, Oxford press.Miller C. (2017). Physical Development in Adolescent. Retrieved 28/08/2018 from https://www.livestrong.
com/article/540730-does-nutrition-affect-puberty/ Mwamwenda TS (2004). Educational Psychology: An African Perspective. Cape Town. Heinemann Publishers (Pty) Ltd.
Smith S. (2007). The Psychological impact of puberty. Retrieved 28/08/2018 from https://www.adolescent.com/physical/changes/diet/health
