Illustrates: Werllen Holanda
Because it is a phase of physical, psychological and social changes. This stage exactly marks the transition from childhood to adulthood – according to the World Health Organization, adolescence begins at 10 and ends at 20. During this period, the body changes and so do the ideas. As it’s all at the same time, it’s normal for internal and external conflicts to happen. According to psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Helena Masseo de Castro, the feeling of difficulty cannot be considered as a rule, as each individual has a unique life experience. “In families where there is dialogue, conversation, intimacy, affection and trust, adolescence is lighter, because the love between parents and children is the basis of self-love and self-esteem”, she says. In addition, it is worth remembering that people from lower social classes may have adult problems at this stage, which overlap with adolescence issues.
THE MIND
The period of uncertainty between child and adult generates some psychological confrontations, such as the loss of parental protection, the need to develop autonomy and the construction of an identity, including a sexual one. All this leads to new emotions, perceptions and reflections.
THE PARENTS
Parents lose the characteristic of benefactors and become educators, sources of orders, tasks and demands. This transformation can be seen with annoyance by the son, who deep down would like to continue being spoiled. The teenager also starts to see the imperfections of the parents, previously seen as heroes. This can lead to some disappointment.
THE BEHAVIOR
With a more developed reasoning ability, the teenager gains new responsibilities and roles, becoming a new social being. At home, leisure time can turn into adult tasks, like taking care of a sibling. At school, you have to choose your future career. In society, you have to get a job. In relationships, you need to look for partners
THE BODY
The physical and biological transformations keep the teenager growing until the age of 16 to 19 years. Puberty also occurs at this stage, that is, sexual maturation. In girls, between 10 and 14 years old, the formation of hips and the growth of breasts, nipples and pubic hair begin. In boys, from 12 to 16, pubic hair appears and enlarges the scrotum and penis
– Why do teenagers’ voices change?
THE METABOLISM
The action of hormones changes completely. The pituitary gland in the brain secretes new types that act on the sexual organs. In boys, follicle-stimulating hormone promotes the production of cells responsible for sperm, and testosterone leads to the appearance of typical male characteristics. In girls, there is the production of estrogen, which leads to the development of breasts and pubic hair, and of progesterone, which regulates the menstrual cycle.
THE INVENTION OF ADOLESCENCE
Teenagers only emerged about 70 years ago. Until the 19th century, society did not conceive of the idea of a transitional phase. At that time, the individual ceased to be a child between 10 and 14 years old and became an adult. From one day to the next, he began to imitate the way of dressing and talking of adults, in addition to acquiring the same obligations and tastes. The term “adolescent” was coined by the psychiatrist Granville Stanley Hall in 1898. However, the word caught on even after World War II, when rock ‘n’ roll and the cultural revolution that affected only the youngest were born.
QUESTION Gabriel Vinicius, Ferraz de Vasconcelos, SP
SOURCE The Creation of Youth book