Let us now discuss adolescence.

The term “adolescence” first appeared in the 15th century and was derived from the Latin word “adolescere,” which meant “to grow up or to mature.”

Adolescence is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood. Children entering adolescence go through a lot of changes (physical, intellectual, personality and social developmental). Puberty, which occurs earlier on average than in the past, marks the start of adolescence. The end of adolescence is influenced by social and emotional factors and can be ambiguous.

Adolescence is a critical stage of development and provides another opportunity for adults to support the continued development of youth and young adults. Understanding adolescent development can help supportive adults work more effectively with youth and promote open lines of communication.

One of the reasons many of us find it difficult is that we are experiencing rapid physical development as well as profound emotional changes. These are exciting, but they can also be confusing and uncomfortable for both the child and the parent.

Adolescence is divided into three primary developmental stages.

• Early adolescence is defined as the period between the ages of 10 and 13 years.
• Middle adolescence is defined as the period between the ages of 14 and 17 years.
• Late adolescence is defined as the period between the ages of 18 and 19 years. This is also known as young adulthood.

Adolescents are also socially and emotionally developing during this time. The search for one’s identity is the most important task of adolescence. (This is often a lifelong journey that begins in adolescence.) The struggle for independence goes hand in hand with the search for identity.

Adolescents require information, including age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education, opportunities to develop life skills, acceptable, equitable, appropriate, and effective health services, and safe and supportive environments in order to grow and develop in good health.

Adolescence is the most difficult stage of a person’s life. There are too many drastic life changes going on in one’s life, such as physical, psychological, and behavioural changes. Making mistakes is a common way for adolescents to become disoriented while searching for the adult world.

However, common adolescent issues include defiance and being argumentative with parents or siblings. Disrespectful of others in the family (e.g., talking back, name calling), emotional fluctuations, and moodiness

The three physical changes that occur during adolescence are as follows:

• The growth spurt (a precursor to maturation);
• Primary sex characteristics (alterations in the reproductive organs);
• Secondary characteristics of sex (bodily signs of sexual maturity that do not directly involve reproductive organs).

Adolescent thinking is superior to that of children. Children can only think logically about the immediate, the here and now. Adolescents transcend these boundaries and can consider what might be true rather than just what they see as true. They can deal with abstractions, test hypotheses, and see endless possibilities. Nonetheless, adolescents frequently exhibit egocentric behaviours and attitudes.

Adolescents are developing socially and emotionally at the same time as they are intellectually. The search for one’s identity is the most important task of adolescence. (This is often a lifelong journey that begins in adolescence.) The struggle for independence goes hand in hand with the search for identity.

While adolescence can be a difficult time for both children and parents, the home does not have to become a battleground if both parents and children make an effort to understand one another.

Parents should consider the following:

When your children want to talk, give them your full attention. Do not read, watch television, or engage in other activities.

Listen calmly and focus on hearing and understanding your children’s perspectives. Speak to your children with the same courtesy and pleasantness that you would to a stranger. The tone of your voice can influence the tone of a conversation.

Understand your children’s emotions, even if you don’t always agree with their actions. Make an effort not to pass judgement. Maintain an open mind on any subject. Be an “approachable/open” parent.

Avoid embarrassing your children by laughing at what appear to you to be naive or foolish questions and statements.

Encourage your children to put new ideas to the test in conversation by not judging their ideas and opinions, but rather by listening and then offering your own views as clearly and honestly as possible. Love and mutual respect can coexist with opposing viewpoints.

Encourage your children’s participation in activities of their choice to help them develop self-confidence (not yours).

Make an effort to compliment your children on a regular and appropriate basis. We often take the good things for granted while focusing on the bad, but everyone deserves to be recognised.

Encourage your children to take part in family decision-making and to discuss family issues with you. Recognize that your children will need to challenge your opinions and ways of doing things in order to achieve the separation from you that is necessary for their own adult identity.

Although not all teenagers are rude or disrespectful, it is a common part of their development.

It occurs partly because your child is developing, expressing, and testing independent ideas and values, so you will disagree at times. Growing up entails learning to be self-sufficient. It is a positive sign that your child is attempting to take on more responsibility. However, your child is still learning how to appropriately handle disagreement and differing opinions.

Also, your child is attempting to balance their need for privacy with your desire to stay connected and demonstrate that you care. As a result, you may receive a rude or disrespectful response because your child believes you are overly interested in their life or activities.

Your child’s moods can also change quickly. Because of the way adolescent brains develop, your child may struggle to cope with changing feelings and reactions to everyday or unexpected events. This can sometimes result in oversensitivity, which can lead to grumpiness or rudeness. Teenage brain development can also have an impact on your child’s ability to empathise with and understand the perspectives of others, including your own.

Disrespectful behaviour can sometimes be a sign that your child is stressed or anxious.

Some young people appear to have contradictory and radical perspectives on everything, and they may question previously held beliefs. This shift to deeper thought is also a normal part of development.

And sometimes teenagers are disrespectful because they believe it is a way to impress others or because they have observed their peers acting in this manner.

Your child values time spent talking and connecting with you, no matter how grumpy or cross he or she becomes. If your child is easily irritated or moody, you may need to be a little more patient. It can be helpful to remember that this stage usually passes.

Handling disobedient behaviour:

Communication:

Maintain your cool. This is important if your child reacts to a discussion with ‘attitude.’ Stop, take a deep breath, and then continue speaking calmly.

Make use of humour. A shared laugh can break the ice, provide a fresh perspective, lighten the mood, and take the sting out of a situation. Just don’t belittle or sarcastic with your child.

Ignore shrugs, raised eyes, and bored expressions if your child is generally behaving well.

Examine your comprehension. Teenagers can be disrespectful without meaning to be. ‘That comment came across as pretty offensive,’ you could say. Did you intend to be impolite?’

When your child communicates positively, give descriptive praise.

Relationships:

Set a good example. When you’re with your child, try to act and speak the way you want your child to act and speak to you. For example, if you frequently curse, your child may struggle to understand why it is not acceptable for them to curse.

If there is a lot of conflict between you and your child, another trusted adult may be able to help. This can help to relieve stress.

Check in with your child to ensure that nothing is causing them to be overly stressed or worried.

Learn about your child’s friends.

Discipline:

Establish clear family rules for behaviour and communication. For example, you could say, ‘In our family, we speak respectfully.’ This means we don’t call people by their first names. It’s a good idea to include your child in rule discussions.

Pay attention to your child’s behaviour and how you feel about it. Any remarks about your child’s personality or character should be avoided. Instead of saying, ‘You’re rude,’ say, ‘I feel hurt when you speak like that to me.’

Discuss, set, and use consequences, but don’t set too many. Consequences for things like rudeness, swearing, or name-calling may be appropriate at times.

Arguing with parents or teenagers rarely works. We can say things we don’t mean when we’re angry. Allowing yourself and your child some time to calm down is a more effective approach.

It will be difficult to discuss what you expect of your child calmly if you are angry or in the middle of an argument. A better approach is to tell your child that you want to talk and to set a time for the conversation.

Being defensive is almost never beneficial. Make an effort not to take things personally. It may be beneficial to remind yourself that your child is maturing and attempting to assert their independence.

Even if you have more life experience, lecturing your child on appropriate behaviour is likely to turn them off to listening. If you want your child to listen to you, you may need to first actively listen to him or her.

Nagging is unlikely to have much of an impact. It may aggravate your frustration, and your child will most likely shut down.

Sarcasm almost always breeds resentment and widens the gap between you and your child.

If your child’s attitude toward you and your family does not change as a result of any of the above strategies, it could be a sign of a larger issue.

Like, shows signs of depression, such as sadness, tears, moodiness, or irritability, or withdraws from family, friends, or usual activities.

Runs away from home or stops attending school on a regular basis.

Uses physical or verbal violence against other members of the family.

It is also critical to look after yourself. You’ll be able to meet your child’s needs better if you manage your stress and meet your own needs. Friends and family, as well as parents of other teenagers, can be a great source of support.

Adolescence is all about trial and error, honing a frontal cortex that will be more optimal by the age of 25.