Problems In Adolescence

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Please see response below, as well as one supporting handout. I hope this helps and take care.

RESPONSE:

Interesting question! Let's take a closer look through discussion and facts.

1. Briefly discuss the various problems associated with adolescence, in terms of their causes, prevalence, and effects, such as self-esteem problems, depression, and suicide.

Adolescence is a time of change and adjustment. Self-acceptance is a springboard for all our successes and failures, but is a particularly difficult task for the adolescent. The familiar and comfortable self we knew in childhood is in a state of change. All the changes in her or his body (i.e. sexual development, physical size, and muscular development) and changes in her or his cognitive development necessitate a modification of the childhood self. Others will say that s/he is growing up, and with this growth comes new responsibilities, certain rights and advantages, and expected behaviors. Added to the changes and expectations is the conflict that arises between the internalization of values accepted by society and the need to reject those values in favor of what her or his own conscience and/or peer say is right or wrong. As a result, s/he begins to ask questions such as: "Who am I?" (Identity issues) "What do I believe in?" "Would others like me if they knew what kind of person I am?" (1)

Some adolescents successfully accomplish the crisis of adolescent, while for others problems with self-esteem, depression and suicide take over. The three are related, as an adolescent who has low self-esteem, also has tendencies towards depression and suicide.

1. Problem with Self Esteem

Self-esteem is a critical aspect of child and adolescent development. When a child or adolescent has low self-esteem, their social and academic achievement can be negatively affected. (2)

Causes:

The changes and new attitudes of mind mentioned above are a source of anxiety for the adolescent, partly because s/he does not have a clearly defined sense of self and cannot instantaneously become an adult, and s/he has to learn to accept her/his particular person. Until s/he can get through these obstacles, s/he is apt to have low self-esteem. Among factors that appear to have a clear effect on self-esteem are successes and failures, e.g., most attention has been given to the effect of academic achievement. (3)

According to Hampton, there is no easy recipe for raising the esteem, but parents, peers, and teachers have considerable effect on how children perceive themselves. According to Hampton, the following factors impact the self-esteem of the adolescent:

· Rejection by one's peers can very often cause low self-esteem because youngsters are not self-reliant enough to stand-alone. Social rejection might stem from personality factors such as shyness, selfishness, dependence, and prudery; or superficial matters of dress, manners, attitudes, and appearance. Any trait that deviates from the ...