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The term adolescence is derived from the Latin word “adolescence’ that means to grow to adulthood. Adolescence begins as a separate developmental stage at about the age 11 and ends at about the age of 22, the adolescence developmental stage can be distinguished based on physical and psychological characteristics and social roles. Adolescence is considered the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood that occurs between ages 13 and 19 (Santrock, 2018). But the physical and psychological changes that take place in adolescence can start earlier, during the preteen years between ages 9 and 12. Stanley Hall (1844-1924) is known as the father of adolescent psychology. He constructed a psychological theory of teenage development, and one major aspect of his theory was that this stage of life is characterized by ‘storm and stress” that most teens are by nature moody and untrustworthy.
The many physical, sexual, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that happen during this time can bring anticipation and anxiety for both adolescence and their families. Understanding what to expect at different stages can promote healthy development throughout adolescence and into early adulthood.
2. Cognitive development
2.1. Adolescents ‘egocentrism’
The tendency to be thoroughly embedded in their newfound ideas, concepts and principles without considering the views of significant others) is characterized by the following problems: argumentativeness, indecisiveness, self-centered, finding fault with authority, self-consciousness (Steinberg, 2019).
i. Argumentativeness. Adolescents have a tendency of regarding their views and principles as the best and most accurate. Parents and teachers should therefore take part in discussing with adolescents new issues they discover and how they (adolescents) should react to them.
ii. Indecisiveness. Adolescents face a problem of deciding on things. This is because they have a great deal of choices in every aspect of life. They continuously discover and experience new things in their lives.
iii. Self-Centred. Adolescents have a particular perception of themselves. They think that they are special, unique and not subjected to natural rules that govern the world. For instance, a girl may think that she cannot get pregnant or a boy may think that he is wise enough and cannot get addicted to smoking or cannot make a girl pregnant, they think that these things only happen to other people but not to them. This kind of thinking and reasoning make them fearlessly indulge in many risky ventures. Therefore, they need to develop a realistic awareness of the ways in which they are not exempted from the natural or societal order of things.
iv. Finding Fault with Authority. Since adolescents now have the ability to imagine an ideal world, they realise that people they have honoured and given esteem to are not as perfect as they thought.
v. Self-Consciousness. Adolescents have the mentality that others constantly watch and make comments about them. Adults should therefore avoid making public criticism or ridicule. During adolescence, many adolescents are more concerned with their body image.
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