Jack is an adolescent, fifteen years of age, who lives with his mother, father, and two sisters. He attends high school and has recently begun a part time job. He has a new girlfriend. He states he feels close to his family members but finds himself more annoyed than usual with his parents and his sisters; he seems to always be arguing with someone. His parents support his work activities as long as his good grades remain; they encourage planning for college and future job security.
Adolescence may span a ten-year period, and is labeled as having a series of phases. Early adolescence covers ages from 11 through 14, middle adolescence ranges from age 15 to age 18, and late adolescence is from age 18 through age 21. Adolescence contains fundamental changes, with unique contexts, and psychosocial developments (Steinberg, 1989). Jack is 15, just entering middle adolescence.
Changes that take place in adolescence include biological or the onset of puberty, cognitive with more advanced thinking abilities, and social or a transition into new societal roles. Puberty brings physical changes and a required adaptation to a new self-image. This may result in changes in familial relationships; needs for more privacy may develop and new discomforts with physical affection may be present. New abilities for hypothetical and abstract thinking leads to new capabilities such as planing ahead, arguing with parents, and resolving dilemmas; adolescents may rethink relationships with friends and family. New social roles such as work or marriage dramatically alter self-images and relationships (Segald, 1984; Steinberg, 1989).
Jack is experiencing the typical developmental changes of adolescence. He has suddenly found himself to be tall and thin, thinner than he would like to be. His voice is lower and he is wondering if it is time to begin shaving. He hardly recognizes himself physically and feels self-conscious with his new im...