Adolescence
The period following the beginning of puberty when childhood ends and adulthood begins marks the onset of adolescence. In this phase, one’s life undergoes critical transitions. The period of adolescence is the preparation for adulthood during which several developments take place. The time of adolescence is a period of preparation for adulthood. The child at this time progresses towards social and economic independence, searches for his own identity. Flourishing of personality is introduced in this stage. Critical physical, emotional, psychological, and attitudinal changes take place in this stage. S/He is not fully competent in understanding difficult concepts and facing hard situations. S/He also develops Skills that will help him carry out adult relationships and roles and the capacity for reasoning.
The adolescent period comprises many risk factors. In adolescent girls and boys, both are floating in a colorful and fantasy world. This is a period of strain and aggression. A huge number of adolescents get into the habit of taking alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs. It is important to teach them that alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs may demolish their life. They also get involved in sexual relationships which very often results in unintentional injuries, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases. Adolescents are different from young children and adults. They can hardly understand complex situations and concepts or the relationships between behavior and consequences. This inability sometimes leads them to vulnerable sexual exploitation and high-risk behaviors. They should be given real examples of what might occur due to unsafe sexual relationships. They should be given spiritual education besides common teaching about physical relationships. So, it is essential to be very suspicious about the whole thing that can be life-threatening.
Adolescents are dependent on their families, communities, schools, health services, and workplaces to learn a wide range of skills that help them to deal with the pressures they face. Out of curiosity and require counseling, they can take up smoking, drugs or other delinquencies. Parents and members of the community should always be alert to adolescent development and adjustment. In this regard, parents should be further co-operative to be concerned about their children.
