Adolescence is the general name for the period that begins at the age of 11-12 and lasts until the beginning of the twenties, and includes rapid physical, psychological and social changes. Various ages within the period include different developmental spurts, so “adolescence” is the general name for this long period.
When this process will begin, when it will end, what kind of adaptation problems they will encounter, how they will cope with them, what kind of learning they will gain from this period is a personal process for each individual. This personality stems from the inheritance of the individual, the cultural values of the society they live in, dilemmas, eating habits, family attitudes, etc. The main feeling that an adolescent feels during the difficulties they encounter during this period is loneliness and the feeling of alienation that accompanies it. The sudden physical change usually catches the adolescent off guard or the changes may start later than their peers. For this reason, knowing that there are individual differences and that development and change will be at different levels for everyone is an important factor that will reduce the anxiety of the adolescent. This is the period when physiological changes are most intense. During these physiological changes, the adolescent’s attention is directed to his own body. He feels alienated from his body and the personal role he has carried up until that day. Unreasonable outbursts of anger, crying for no reason, and irritability are common situations during this process.
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In the middle period of adolescence, physical growth continues at a slower pace. The person’s adaptation to the changes in their body has increased and therefore the tensions originating from gender roles have started to decrease. In this process, efforts to become independent from their parents are now seen. The adolescent has started to search for their place in society with their new identity, and the importance of groups of friends has increased. The need for autonomy is at a high level. Identification with friendships and groups has increased. Efforts to become independent from the family also bring about contradictory feelings. Both distancing themselves from the family and proving their individuality, and a great need for their love and support. This can also bring about feelings of loneliness and powerlessness, and conflict with parents may increase. Cognitively, the ability to think abstractly matures. Conflicts are experienced between responsibility and entertainment. Instability may be experienced in academic success. This situation increases conflict with the family. The last period of adolescence is a period when physical development is completed, conflicts in relationships decrease, difficulties in decision-making decrease and personal maturity increases. Conflicts in independence, making their own decisions and making choices decrease. They can produce more realistic and purposeful solutions to cope with the problems encountered. Although decisions regarding job and career choices are on the agenda as a situation that increases anxiety, the young person has reached maturity to cope with this. They are able to recognize their own interests and talents and act more decisively and courageously in choosing their own path. Sexual conflicts have decreased.
Questions about life values have increased, there have been developments in the perspective on social problems, and interest in social issues has increased.
