Adolescence

Do you think adolescence is universal in every culture around the world? Although it may seem surprising, adolescence differs among cultures. Interestingly, a country's economy plays a major role in deciding whether it will or will not recognize adolescence as a developmental stage. For example, rural and agricultural societies require children to become adults quickly. This typically includes getting married early and joining the workforce. In many of these societies, a ceremony indicative of a rite of passage often marks the transition from childhood to adulthood. After the ceremony, community members will view the person as an adult. Examples include graduations, or Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

In contrast, western cultures like the United States delay adulthood because society encourages young adults to acquire additional education beyond high school. As a result, formal education has actually lengthened adolescence by delaying adult status. This has also raised the average age of marriage.

Physical Changes During Adolescence

During adolescent development, your body goes through many physical changes. These alterations differ for males and females. In this interactivity, you will discover more about the physical differences between genders during adolescence. Click the player to begin.

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Teens, Parents, Friends, and Identity

Relationships between family members and peers become redefined during adolescence. Teens also begin to form their own identity during this phase of development. In this interactivity, you will meet Jake and Jaela, and learn about some of the common experiences shared by many teenagers. Click the player to begin.

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Adolescence Review

Now that you have learned about development during adolescence, it is time to review. Use this non-graded interactivity to test your understanding of the material covered in this topic. Click the player to get started.