Adolescence

As young boys and girls grow into adulthood, they pass through a period called adolescence. It is the period between the ages of twelve and nineteen in the average child. As adolescents, they want to be identified with a peer group and seek independence from their family.
During adolescence, there are many changes in the body structure of young boys and girls. The voice of a boy changes to a deeper masculine tone because of the development of the vocal cords and throat muscles. Hair begins to grow also on the face and other parts of the body. A girl's legs, on the other hand, develop more curve, the hips widen and the bust become firmer. Maturity usually starts about two years earlier in girls than boys.
As boys and girls develop physically, they also develop mentally, emotionally and socially.
Because of the many rapid changes at this stage in their life, adolescents face various developmental tasks. These tasks include moving towards heterosexuality, choosing a vocation and seeking independence from their family. As they move towards heterosexuality, they become aware of the opposite sex. They want to be identified with a peer group which is their source of status and prestige and follow specific norms and standards set by the group. In choosing a vocation, they must know their abilities and real interests. They must know the different aspects of the job of their interest. They must gain experience through apprenticeships in work firms or institutions. They must shift to another vocation if it does not suit them and they should ask the Almighty for help and guidance.
In early adolescence, young boys and girls begin to feel the need for independence and privacy. This is the reason why some teenagers spend more time with their “barkadas”. It is in this peer group where they begin to develop self-esteem, a feeling of self-importance.
Young ones need much understanding from parents to overcome their anxieties. During this stage, responsible parenthood requires parents to gradually let go of their parental authority and learn to be their child's best friend.
As you grow up physically, you also gradually increase your mental and emotional stature. During your childhood days, your interest is only to yourself, your own possessions, your family and the people you meet daily. As an adolescent, your interests shift to many things outside yourself and your immediate surroundings.
Your emotional growth goes hand in hand with your mental growth. To understand why yourself and others of your age behave as you do, you must understand some of the behavioral traits of adolescents. It would be worthwhile to analyze all these traits and try to deal with ti positively since they are all part of the changes in an adolescent's life. As part of the behavioral traits of adolescents, they are sensitive and get easily upset. They want to prove their independence. They tend to be irritable and restless. They appreciate their parent's help. They are inquisitive. They become interested with the opposite sex and start to develop crushes. They are mostly ambitious and idealistic.