What Is The Adolescent Age Range?
Adolescence is a period of life often marked by significant changes. Teens may experience physical, emotional, and hormonal adjustments as they go through puberty, life changes, and the navigation of social challenges. There are several stages of adolescence, and each one may carry with it different adjustment periods.
When teens turn 16, they are legally allowed to drive, drop out of school, or declare emancipation from their parents in the US. However, they cannot rent a car until they are 25. Young people are allowed to vote at 18 but may not legally drink until they are 21. For some parents and teens, this may cause uncertainty about when adolescence begins and ends. Some experts state the late adolescence period ends only at age 24.
The Stages Of Adolescence
Adolescence is often broken into three stages: early, middle, and late adolescence. The age ranges for these three stages may be debated, however. Experts often believe that adolescence begins with puberty, or around ages 10 to 14.
By middle adolescence (ages 15 to 18), symptoms of puberty may subside, and teens might be closer to their adult height, weight, and size if they are in good health.
Puberty in modern teens may occur earlier than in the past with adolescent development, often beginning from seven to ten years of age. Adolescence definition in itself may also be prolonged. Adolescents or young adults might attend university for longer or wait to get married and have families. Additionally, scientific discoveries about brain development reveal that the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for rational decision-making) is not fully developed until age 25.
Learning about adolescence and its accompanying stages can help parents and teens understand why specific changes occur, and it can promote adolescent health, both physical and mental.
Early Adolescence (ages 10-14)
Early adolescence often accompanies puberty and rapid growth, and this is often a crucial part of human development. A young person going through this stage may notice their height and weight changing. For those assigned males at birth, a change in voice, a more prominent Adam's apple, and genital changes may occur. For those assigned females at birth, menstruation often begins, and breasts may develop. All teens may notice more hair growth around their bodies.
Puberty often accompanies hormonal changes, which may make teens feel that their parents are acting unfairly. They might also feel overwhelmed by responsibilities, relationships, and home life. In some cases, mood disorders begin to develop around this time, such as teenage depression. If you believe your child may be experiencing any kind of mental health risk, please reach out for medical care. There are many child and adolescent therapists who may help.
Middle Adolescence (ages 15-18)
In the middle adolescent stage, symptoms of puberty for those assigned females at birth might subside. However, many individuals assigned male at birth will experience growth spurts, deeper voices, and higher testosterone levels. For some adolescents, sexual activity may begin during this stage, so it can be helpful to speak to your child about the potential risks associated with unsafe sex.
During this stage, teens may engage in abstract and relativist thinking, which could help them form their own identities. They might often think about the future and set clear goals. In middle adolescence, many teens have their first romantic relationships. They might also establish long-term friend groups or close connections with others. These social relationships can be important for young people’s health.
Late Adolescence (ages 19-24)
At this stage, adolescents may demonstrate concern and compassion for others. They might have developed a sense of self separate from their parents or peer group, although relationships often continue to be an essential part of their lives. Their upbringing and cultural traditions may become values as they move into adulthood.
Those in late adolescence may often experience "firsts," such as getting their first car, enrolling in university, or having their first serious relationship. These years of development may be essential for learning lessons they will carry into adulthood.
When Does Adolescence End?
Until recent years, scientists believed adolescence might end around 18 or 19. In many cultures, this coincided with the end of secondary education and the beginning of a young person's encounter with the full-time working world. However, these changes may be more cultural than physical.
Since the brain is not fully developed until the mid-twenties, and many young adults still live with their parents or require emotional and financial support, many individuals feel that 24 is a better estimate. Once adults reach 25, they may be more situated in the career world and have a better idea of what they want their future in society to look like.
Counseling For Teens And Adults
Many cultural, physical, emotional, and hormonal changes may occur in a teen's life, even past 18. As a parent or an adolescent experiencing these transitions, stress, anxiety, or depression may occur. Therapy and other mental health services can be highly beneficial tools for young girls and boys dealing with any difficulties during adolescence.
As parenting and being a teen are both busy life stages, it may be tricky to find a counselor to undertake an adolescent psychology appointment that meets your scheduling needs. If that is the case for you, online counseling for child health could be beneficial. Online counseling allows you to meet with a counselor from a location that feels safe to you, such as your home or office. Additionally, it is often more affordable than in-person therapy.
Takeaway
Adolescence can feel confusing, complex, and scary for many. Learning the varying stages of adolescence and what they could mean for you may be rewarding. If you're a teen or adult dealing with the impact of any adolescence stage, consider reaching out for further professional guidance from a counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are a few frequently asked questions about adolescence.
What Are The Five Characteristics Of Adolescence?
Adolescence is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood. The five characteristics of adolescence may include:
Biological Development: Teens may experience growth spurts, voice changes, puberty, menstruation, acne and skin changes, heightened hormones, and increased sweat production. They will likely notice changes in their sexual and reproductive health.
Undefined Status: Adolescents may feel subjected to unclear social expectations, which could vary by culture and upbringing.
Increased Decision-Making: Adolescents often become responsible for more decisions, may start planning higher education or career goals, and may become more aware of mental health.
Increased Pressure: Parents, teachers, and peers might pressure adolescents to behave in specific ways. Peer pressure can occur during adolescence, and teens may feel pressured to have a romantic relationship or know what they want to do as adults.
The Search for Self: Adolescents may start to establish boundaries and learn more about their personalities. They might test new styles, jokes, or ways of acting around others.
What Are The Four Stages Of Adolescence?
Outside of the adolescent age range, adolescents may experience the following stages.
Stage One: Letting Childhood Go
During the early adolescence phase, teens may start to let go of their childhood or express dissatisfaction when treated as a child. They might become less interested in traditionally child-focused activities. Some teens may take longer to get through this phase and may experience bullying as a result, as peer pressure begins to take hold.
Stage Two: Forming A Family With Friends
During mid-adolescence, teens often become more aware of other teens and may want to establish independence from their parents. They could feel more concerned about acceptance and belonging amongst their peers and might want to spend more time with friends than with family. They may engage in physical activity such as organized sports or other clubs to further immerse themselves in peer groups.
Stage Three: Acting "Grown Up"
During middle and late adolescence, teens might exhibit independence through paid employment, romantic relationships, driving cars, setting goals for the future, and establishing friendships. They might push for more freedom from their parents or push back at rules.
Stage Four: Stepping Off On Their Own
During the final stage of adolescence, which often includes ages 18 to 24, young adults may start practicing independence. They might start a career, attend college, or move away from their parents and family.
Why Is Adolescence So Difficult?
According to the American Psychological Association, the transition period from a child dependent on parents to a self-reliant and independent adult is often a dynamic, extensive, and influential period in a human's life. Adolescence may come with unique challenges that other life stages do not, such as rapid social, physical, emotional, and hormonal changes.
From puberty, adolescents may experience changes in physical appearance and often act and behave differently than they did as a child. Because of the effect of adolescent brain development, they might try to balance the independence they crave with the idea of still being a minor dependent on their caregivers. According to the World Health Organization, the third-highest cause of adolescent mortality is self-harm, highlighting the importance of effective mental health care for young people. In addition, another of the leading causes of adolescent deaths is interpersonal violence. Substance use disorders (formerly called substance abuse) also made the list, as did unintentional injury in the form of falls.
What Are The Five Stages Of Adolescence?
Adolescents may experience several developmental stages as they age, including the following.
Physical Development
Teens and older children may experience growth spurts, hormonal changes, hair growth, and other puberty-related symptoms. The age ranges for these changes may vary by sex. For example, research shows those assigned females at birth may experience puberty earlier, starting around 10 to 13. Those assigned males at birth may experience it later, from 13 to 15. These numbers can vary by person.
Social Development
Adolescents may start to socialize more with their peers than with their parents. They could feel an intense need to belong to the group. They might change their clothes, personality, hair, or style to fit in with others or to establish an identity at their school. Often, extracurricular activities become a hobby.
Emotional Development
Preteens may exhibit argumentative, irritable, or "moody" behaviors as they enter or exit puberty. Because they are developing a sense of self, they may feel a sense of hyper-focus on themselves and how others perceive them. They might also test the limits of acceptable behaviors and challenge adult authority. During this time, they may develop mental health conditions or symptoms. In these cases, therapy can be beneficial.
Intellectual Development
Adolescents may develop individual cognitive characteristics, including independent thoughts and metacognition. They may experience better cognitive processing, advanced language skills, a sense of purpose, and social consciousness.
Moral Development
Adolescents could move away from accepting the moral judgment of others and develop their own values. They might feel or think in idealistic ways, possess a sense of fairness, and feel that others in their life do not care about them, depending on how they view themselves.
What Happens In Late Adolescence?
Often, physical development is complete by late adolescence. At this point, the young adult may have developed a stronger sense of personal identity. However, adolescents are still developing intellectually, which may continue throughout their 20s.
Is Adolescence A Stressful Time?
The adolescence phase may be stressful for parents and teens. Hormones, family conflicts, school, and planning for adult life can all be considered stressors. Reputable organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) provide numerous recommendations to make this development stage feel more manageable. Additionally, adolescents may turn to therapy to find relief from stress.
What Is The Difference Between Puberty And Adolescence?
Puberty is a phase of physical transition, while adolescence is a social and psychological transition that includes puberty as part of the experience.
What Happens In The Brain During Adolescence?
Adolescence can be a period of significant growth and development. Previously unused connections in the thinking and processing aspect of a child's brain may start to be used more often. This process can start in the back of the brain, while the front part of the brain develops last.
Because prefrontal cortex development is ongoing throughout adolescence and young adulthood, adolescents may rely on the amygdala to make decisions and solve problems. The amygdala is part of the brain associated with impulses, emotions, instincts, and aggression.
What is the age range of an adolescent?
What do we call people who are in the adolescence stage?
Is 25 an adolescent age?
Why adolescence is important?
What is the definition of an adolescent?
What is age 20 25 called?
Does adolescence end at 21?
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