BC Council for Families

by Maria Weatherby

Taking a closer look at the changes of adolescence, and the ways we can build support and offer assistance to teens.

In the past three decades, adolescent research has moved beyond a strictly biological view and is now challenging the myths of adolescence by considering the significance of environmental factors. Two environmental factors that have received attention include the cultural pressures of thinness for females and muscularity for males, and less guidance and closeness in family relationships.

In addition to focusing on these two aspects of the environment, research has contributed to our understanding that although the period of adolescence is marked by remarkable and rapid change, these changes provide adolescents opportunities for both positive and negative outcomes. As such, a closer look at the changes that take place in adolescence along with the ways in which we can build support and offer assistance to adolescents is particularly worthwhile.

The Onset of Puberty and Cultural Pressures

The period of adolescence is marked by the onset of puberty. Although there are fluctuations in hormone levels that may play an important role, there are also cultural factors involved in adolescents' adjustment to puberty. For females, puberty is associated with increases in body fat and overall weight gain. Unfortunately, these normal weight gains are often perceived as threatening by female adolescents, who recognize that these normal weight gains move them away from society's ideal of the thin and youthful female.

On the other hand, the physical changes that males experience as a result of puberty are generally welcomed with excitement. For males, increases in muscle development and overall weight gain are associated with greater strength and prowess, moving males closer to society's notion of the ideal male. This sex difference is supported by research which finds that adolescent females are more dissatisfied with their physical appearance and body image than adolescent males are.

Unfortunately, the consequences of this difference transcend differences in satisfaction with one's body image. Research finds that girls who begin puberty earlier than their peers experience higher rates of delinquency, negative feelings about their body-image, and lower academic aspirations. On the other hand, girls who begin puberty later have a better understanding of themselves, higher levels of assertiveness, and higher academic aspirations.

This pattern is the opposite for males. Research finds that males who reach puberty earlier have a more positive body image and higher levels of self-esteem, whereas later maturation in boys is associated with increases in attention-seeking and talkativeness, more difficulties with excelling in athletics, and more difficulties establishing relationships with girls.

Clearly, these differences suggest that there are advantages for girls if they can delay the onset of puberty and advantages for boys if they begin puberty early. There seems to be no doubt that this sex difference in the timing of puberty reflects our cultural notion of the ideally thin and youthful female and the ideally strong and muscular male. As parents and adults in general, it is critical for us to encourage adolescents to move beyond physical appearance in their assessments of self-worth and identity. Furthermore, we must assist them in acknowledging and challenging our societal ideals and the negative effects these have on adolescents who do not fit these ideals.

Parents can point out the unrealistic body images represented in teen magazines, television programs, and films. This may help adolescents understand how cultural values and ideals affect them.

Cognitive Development and Family Relationships

Adolescents also experience changes in their ability to think and reason abstractly. For instance, adolescents are increasingly capable of understanding intentions and satire, as well as noticing double standards and insincerity. Consequently, they become better arguers, better at finding character flaws, and better at catching attempts at deception. As one adolescent states, "I'm aware of my growing intellect. I'll feel insulted if you try to deceive me or hide the complete truth from me. I'm quick to detect the tiniest hint of insincerity."

Although we may infer that these new cognitive skills reflect adolescents' desires to rebel, it is in their best interests if we understand that they are testing out their new, adult-like cognitive skills, perhaps in a less than perfected way. It is important that we do not perceive their thoughts and opinions to be child-like and acknowledge the benefits we can provide by helping them move beyond their initially black and white options and values.

Parents can help adolescents understand the complexities and grey areas in issues. This will encourage adolescents to continue exploring their values and beliefs.

Along with experiencing new cognitive skills in the areas of abstract thought and reasoning, adolescents also experience new cognitions surrounding their social worlds. For instance, adolescents become better at considering others' opinions and feelings, which enables them to empathize more effectively with others. This change often affects the nature of adolescent friendships. They  become increasingly aware of the importance of having thoughtful, sensitive, and intimate friendships in which they can share their ideas and questions, fulfill their need to belong, and argue on a more even playing field.

Indeed, adolescent friendships provide opportunities to gain important skills and increase their understanding of themselves. One adolescent says, "It's important to me to hang out with friends. It may look like a waste of time, but this is how I figure out who I am and where I fit in the greater scheme of things."

Although parents may feel as though they're losing their influence to their adolescents' peer groups, this isn't supported by research. Research finds that peers and parents influence adolescents in different and often complementary ways.

Despite increased peer influence in areas such as hairstyle, sport preferences, and choice of music, research shows that parents outweigh peer influence in areas such as manners, core values, and how late to stay out. Consequently, it is important that parents recognize the importance of their continued influence, as adolescents who experience high levels of closeness in their families experience higher levels of well-being. To ensure this well-being, parents need to provide opportunities that promote emotional closeness.

Parents can promote family closeness by setting up family rituals. For example, parents and adolescents can set aside certain nights to eat meals together or arrange a set night for family movies at home

Despite the research that has emerged in the last three decades, myths about the period of adolescence continue to prevail. For example, many parents, teachers, mental health professionals, pediatricians, college students, as well as adults in general, continue to believe that adolescence is a time of inevitable storm and stress. It is particularly unfortunate that these myths have persisted, as this does not promote adolescent well-being. Furthermore, as a result of envisioning the entire period as naturally problematic, society fails to appreciate the ways in which it can offer assistance and support.

Adolescent voices taken from A Canadian Living Family Book (1999), entitled Understanding your teen: Parenting strategies that work.

Maria Weatherby, M.A., teaches Parent-Child Relationships and Adolescent Development at UBC.

This article first appeared in Family Connections (Winter 2000/2001), published by the BC Council for Families.

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