COUN223 - Steps For Designing an Information Booklet

Information Booklet

Introduction

Adolescence is a crucial part of every individual’s life. Physical as well as emotional changes can be seen at this stage of life. There are three stages of adolescence. Early adolescence, middle adolescence, and later adolescence. Early adolescence is the period when girls and boys step into puberty. Middle adolescence is the period of 15 to 18 years of age group, and last but not least the later adolescence period is 18 to 21 and above years. Each stage is classified based on the changes faced by every human being in their life circle.

In this report, the two life stages that are nominated early adolescence and later adolescence are chosen as two topics. The definition, characteristics, and impact of parenting style are given for each topic. Furthermore, two developmental tasks that are identified in each stage will be described along with typical and atypical development. Moreover, a brief conclusion will be given in the end.

Early adolescence

Definition

The period between 10 to 15 years of age group, is considered early adolescence. It is a crucial stage when girls and boys face many changes, sexual maturation, etc. Early adolescence is often called the time between childhood and adolescence. These changes often scare and confuse people of this age group. Their appearance, feelings as well as emotions, and relations among family members, including friends, change. It is necessary for parents to understand the characteristics as well as behaviors of early adolescents, in this way, they can provide support to the juveniles

Characteristics

Growing

This differs between boys and girls. Girls as early adolescents, get mature earlier than boys at this stage. Though both genders face physical changes. Sexual development and growth spurt are the core of these. The growth spurts for girls are like starting at 10 years, peaking at 11 years, and are completed by 15 years of age. As per the boys, the growth spurt starts at 11 years, peaks at 13 years, and completes at 15 years of age. Changes can be seen in their eyes too. The secondary characteristics of sexual development for girls are breast development, menstruation, and body hair growth. As per the boys their vocal cord size changes, testes development, and body hair growth. These growth stages may vary from person to person. Considering the timings, some are called early developers and others are called late developers.

Feeling and relating

The feelings of an early adolescent are complicated and unstable or intense at the same time. Mood swings can be spotted like bouncing from being happy or silly, and ebullient to withdrawn or sad and grouchy. This occurs due to hormonal changes. External appearances are a matter of concern. In this stage, relationship with friends becomes a major part of life as friends tend to give effective advice about clothing, music, girlfriends or boyfriends, activities, and so on. Friends belonging to the same age group can find themselves relatable with each other. In addition to that, the love of parents plays an extraordinary role in supporting early adolescents to deal with the current changes.

Thinking

Early adolescence is the stage where individuals move into adolescence from childhood. Hence, they transform into abstract thinkers from concrete thinkers. Abstract thinkers can see various ways of addressing an obstacle or problem while having “What-if” questions in mind for successful outcomes in the future. In contrast, Concrete thinkers can only observe issues as “no” “yes” “white” or “black”. They get frustrated when problems and issues like moral dilemmas have multiple solutions or no solutions either. They often seek thrilling experiences without thinking of potential consequences. If the peer group members are also interested in these activities, they often face consequences.

Parenting

Researchers have shown that mothers are still the most important persons in their lives. They consider arguments with mothers as normal and easily forget. They seek support and comfort from their parents. Parents are suggested to understand that they are the most important persons in their children’s lives, and have a greater influence on them. In this stage girls and boys are most vulnerable so parents are needed to support them as much as possible.

Two developmental tasks for the nominated life stage

Learning to form friendship bonds with both genders:

Indulging oneself in peer relationships with new friends is one of the important developmental tasks for early adolescents. This friendship must be done regardless of gender, socio-cultural background, and characteristics. Both males and females between the same age group have relatable situations, and all can find a solution for each problem while hearing, discussing as well and advising each other. This can be therapeutic. Every individual can bring different ideas and perspectives that are unique in nature. As early adolescents perform peer interaction that effectively hits a peak of importance during this period. The degree of the ability of an individual in early adolescence to make friendship bonds with different genders, including the acceptance of peer groups, indicates that the individual is successfully able to cope with areas of psychological as well as social development
Accepting one’s physical appearance and keeping it healthy:
Since birth, this is the first time when every individual faces sudden and rapid physical changes. Early adolescents reach puberty, which can be seen in their appearance. They look like sexually and physically mature adults more than looking like a child. Sudden hormonal changes cause breast development, menstruation, and body hair growth in girls, and development of testes, depth in voice, and growth of body hair in boys. Both genders often gain weight, acne or pimple occurs on the face, and some of them get body Odor that can be a matter of concern to them. With all of these rapid changes, early adolescents are required to incorporate them into their identity. This includes a sense of attitude that determines the meaning of being a female or male. Their senses of femininity, as well as masculinity, must be accommodated with their self-image. Furthermore, self-esteem and values regarding their sexual behavior must be incorporated by them.

The discussion of early adolescence through the lens of typical and atypical development:

Typical development in early adolescence

As the hormones change during this stage and girls as well as boys are stepping into puberty, their moods and actions sometimes seem to be unpredictable. One of the typical developments of early adolescents is they often do things without considering their consequences. They prefer to follow their emotions more than rationality.

Typical development in early adolescence:

When developments are not completed within the accurate period, things can get more complicated for early adolescents. Intensity and pain can be seen in mood swings, that last longer than usual. Major depressive episodes occur, and hormonal imbalances can be seen. Furthermore, health issues occur. The inability to connect with others etc. are the forms of atypical development among early adolescents.

Later adolescence:

Definition:

Later adolescence is defined as the period of 18 to 21 years and above. In this stage after puberty, the physical growth rate shows down. At the age of 16, girls stop growing taller whereas boys grow taller up until the age of 18 or 21. Frequent changes allow later adolescents to explore the important aspects of life which are home, work, family, resources, school, and role. The process of becoming an adult comes with an understanding of responsibilities and values, including a sense of independence. This is the stage where they think of their career and future. Maturity takes place and seriousness can be seen in commitments.

Characteristics:

Adjust to the present physical sense of self:

Unlike early adolescence, in later adolescence, sexual as well as physical changes are primarily completed. Although these developments can be seen in men up to the age of 21. They tend to accept more about their physical appearance. A strong sense of love, the initiative for lifelong commitments, etc. are the characteristics of an individual adolescent.

Tries to understand the perspective of parents and others:

Later adolescents arbitrate changes within the relationships between their parents and them. They accept different perspectives of others, including their parents by putting themselves in other’s shoes. Their ways can be different, but they consider other’s opinions as valuable. They also respect and understand Socio-cultural values, and expectations to provide necessary support in times of need. Additionally, a sense of responsibility as well as making decisions with maturity can be seen.

Parenting:

Parents are suggested to discuss matters by communicating and supporting later adolescents. They are required to know more about their linking and disliking. Providing value to the opinions as well as different perspectives of later adolescents enables them to connect with their children. This enables them to come forward and discuss with them anything that is bothering, them without any hesitation.

Two developmental tasks for the nominated life stage:

Biological:

In later adolescence period, physical development stops for girls. They become mature and develop a sense of independence while embracing femininity. As per the boys, the end of puberty can be seen, in addition to that they continued to grow body hair as well as muscle bulk. Both of the genders accepted their appearances. They work hard to develop vocational or career goals, creating innovative ways to reach their goals. They get stronger mentally as well as physically to overcome any challenges or obstacles that come into the path of their success. They often try to protect their loved ones from any possible harm Psychological and social

They tend to see things more logically. Complexity can be seen in their abstract thinking. The difference between Morality and law is also identified at this stage. They become less vulnerable and handle situations sincerely. Self-esteem, self-efficacy, individuality, etc. develop in this stage. Political ideology and other myths are rejected by the people of this age group. They often seek for spiritual paths.

Moreover, a sense of social autonomy is developed among them. Vocational abilities are being explored by them. Furthermore, the sense of independence provokes them to pursue their career opportunities to get financially stable. They stand for their fundamental rights to maintain a healthy socio-political atmosphere. Both genders participate equally as responsible persons with families as well as with communities. Moreover, understanding sexual needs and other aspects like finding emotional support from their partners helps them to grow more. In addition to that intimate relationships develop with their partners, compatible with each other as well as support in times of need.

The discussion of later adolescence through the lens of typical and atypical development:

Typical development:

Young women are typically entirely developed in this stage of life. They reach puberty and know how to embrace their flaws. Whereas young men continued to increase in weight, height, muscle, and body hair. Both of them think abstract ideas with logical explanations. During this time making decisions independently is under typical development. Additionally, a strong sense of humor is developed in this stage. Self-reliance, accountability, self-worth, and other aspects can be identified in this stage of development. They gain a more defined sense of identity along with increased emotional stability.

A typical development:

As early adolescents fail to cover developmental tasks, difficulties occur in later adolescence period. They try to distance themselves from others including parents, disregarding their perspectives. They often face difficulty or inability to make decisions on their own. They have strong behavioral concerns, in addition to that, they face difficulties in focusing on their studies and careers, including losing interest in activities. Furthermore, they get ashamed of their appearance and sexual changes

Conclusion:

After analyzing the report, it has been shown that early adolescence and late adolescence are crucial stages of every individual’s life. Early adolescents require more attention from parents as they consider their parents as the closest persons. Whereas later adolescence understands, respect, and consider their opinions, but make decisions on their own. Early adolescents face many changes in comparison to later adolescents, but they are more emotionally vulnerable. Each has different developmental tasks all help them to grow more for further success in life.