CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG ADOLESCENTS

Does your child become so violent lately? Are you aware who are her friends are? Did you know why she doesn’t like to attend to school? Are you upset about her whereabouts? Does she change the way she treats you?

Well, these are just few questions to be asked from the parents who have teenagers. Parents are important factors to teenager’s life. They are responsible in molding their child and teaching them to have good values and discipline. Many of our students now a days are problematic in terms of family matters, peer pressure, environment, self –esteem, financial and school related. These problems greatly affect their studies and make their life miserable.

In order to avoid this, parents should know the characteristics of the young adolescents. Try to ponder what you will do in order to guide them at the right path.

Here are the lists of the characteristics of the adolescents. Try to observe this to your child. You have to list possible solutions if your child encounters some trouble.

Physical Characteristics

1. Experience irregular growth spurts in physical development
2. Experience fluctuations in basal metabolism causing restlessness and listlessness
3. Have ravenous appetites
4. Mature at varying rates of speed
5. Highly disturbed by body changes

Intellectual Characteristics

1. Are highly curious
2. Prefer active over passive learning experiences
3. Relate to real-life problems and situations
4. Are egocentric
5. Experience meta-cognition (the ability to analyze complex thought processes)

Psychological Characteristics

1. Are often erratic and inconsistent in behavior
2. Are highly sensitive to criticism
3. Are moody, restless, and self-conscious
4. Are optimistic and hopeful
5. Are searching for identity and acceptance from peers

Social Characteristics

1. Are rebellious towards parents and authority figures
2. Are confused and frightened by new school/social settings
3. Are fiercely loyal to peer group values
4. Are often aggressive and argumentative
5. Need frequent affirmation or love from adults

Moral and Ethical Characteristics

1. Are idealistic
2. Have strong sense of fairness
3. Are reflective and introspective in thoughts
4. Confront moral and ethical questions head on
5. Ask large, ambiguous questions about the meaning of life