Abstract:
The word adolescence is Latin in origin, derived from the verb adolescere,
which means "to grow into adulthood". In all societies adolescence is a time of
growing up, of moving from the immaturity of childhood into the maturity of
adulthood. Adolescence is a period of transitions: biological, psychological, social,
economic. It is an exciting time of life. Individuals become interested in sex and
become biologically capable of having children. They become wiser, more
sophisticated, and better able to make their own decisions. Adolescents are
permitted to work, to get married, and to vote. And eventually, adolescents are
expected to be able to support themselves financially.
v-
.r
Development during adolescence as involving a series of passages from
immaturity into maturity. Some of these passages are long and some are short;
some of them are smooth and others are rough. And all of them occur at same
time. Consequently, it is quite possible-and perhaps even likely -that an individual
will mature in some respects before he or she matures in others. The various
aspects of adolescence have different beginnings and different endings for every
individual. Every young person is a child in some ways, and adolescence in other
ways, and an adult in still others.
