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Parents & Theories of Adolescent Development

It is widely known that the developmental period of adolescence is a major life stage for substantial change in the self and identity formation. This time period is quite important in terms of differentiation, integration, synthesis, and resynthesis. The youth learns increasingly complex cognitive processes and matures in building of character, self-mastery and preparation for adult living. This time is not easy for the parent of the adolescent. It often seems that all the rules of child-rearing no longer apply and a stranger has appeared in the household. This stranger is a child one day and an adult the next, often demanding the privileges of both childhood and adulthood. It is the purpose of this essay to explore various theories of adolescent development and methods for parents to cope with this turbulent aspect of child-rearing.

Theorist Blos cautions against passive identity in adolescents. Such youths are believed to harbor self-doubt and uncertainty which prolongs the period of adolescence. In a delicate balance, the child must experience the support of the parents but be encouraged to actively interact with others in the environment. Increasing separation of the child-self from the caregivers and the accompanying emotional disengagement are absolutely critical to the process of ego maturity and identity development (Adams, Gullotta, & Montemayor, 1992, p. 2). The tension that develops between parents and teenagers during the separation process is normal although quite uncomfortable for all involved. According to Blos, it is important that parents lovingly support the child in his efforts and not let him slip into a passive mode of coping. In other words, the parent must guard against actions which perpetuate emotional dependency and encourage the youth in attempts toward independence.

There are several major theories of sex role socialization in adolescents. These fall roughly into the groups of Freudian ...

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Parents & Theories of Adolescent Development. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 05:56, March 19, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1689473.html