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Adolescent Development

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Adolescent development is marked by major changes in the teenager. Each teenager is different, each displaying a unique personality, interests, and preferences. There are many developmental milestones that every adolescent faces while they transition from childhood to adulthood. The developmental stages Adolescent Developmentof the adolescent are as follows:

Middle School and High School
Wanting Independence
Personal Interests apart from parents  
Cognitive Freedom
Sexual Interests
Morals Values and Self-influnece

Adolescents in their development deal with a sense of identity, often feeling awkward or strange about their identity and body. During these years there is a tremendous focus on themselves.  Their individual preference regarding style and identity are influenced by peer group.

Typical Adolescent Development

Adolescents is marked by mood swings, increase self-reliance, increase self-reliance and the reality that parents are not perfect. Adolescents learn to overcome shyness, blushing, and experience modesty.  But they can be rude, demanding, and focused on "fairness".  Girls tend to develop emotionally and physically faster than boys.  Adolescents experience an increase interest in sex, Most of all adolescents worry about "being normal" and accepted, and this is when they begin testing the limits and rules. Unfortunately, this is when they begin experimentation with sex and drugs (cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana)

Young teenagers do vary slightly from the above descriptions, but the feelings and behaviors are, in general, considered normal for each stage of adolescence.