Adolescence is one of the most important phases of life. In it, the human body experiences the major changes that lead to the appearance of the traits of adulthood Both physically and mentally.
Now, adolescence is not a single stage in which all changes occur at the same pace. That is why It is possible to distinguish different stages of adolescence which set the pace of the maturation process.
There are different criteria to establish when one stage of adolescence ends and when another begins. In fact, There is no entirely objective and definitive criterion to establish these temporal boundaries, nor can there be; It all depends on what parameters we look at.
However, that does not mean that there is not some consensus about what these phases are. Below you can see them explained and described.
1. Pre-adolescence
The pre-adolescence ranges from 8 to 11 years, and consists of the stage in which the transition between childhood and adolescence occurs. Therefore, there is some ambiguity about whether this phase belongs to childhood to adolescence. What is certain is that in most cases, pre-adolescence coincides with the onset of puberty.
Physical changes
The physical changes that occur at this stage are notable and affect many parts of the body. For example, it is at this point that bones begin to grow quickly and unevenly which can make it a little more difficult to coordinate movements (a feeling of clumsiness appears) and slight discomfort in some joints
Psychological changes
At this stage of adolescence, great progress in the ability to think in abstract terms That is why one is better able to reflect on hypothetical situations or on logical and mathematical operations. However, normally when you leave this phase you do not have complete mastery in these areas.
In the same way, there is a tendency to try to fit into gender roles, so as not to get out of the stereotypes related to the appearance and differentiated behaviors of men and women
2. Early adolescence
early adolescence occurs between 11 and 15 years old and in it the main sudden hormonal changes occur, to the point where when leaving this phase the body is very different from the one it had during pre-adolescence.
Physical changes
Early adolescence is the phase in which the greatest changes occur in the voice In the same way, the muscles and sexual organs develop until they have a much more adult appearance Having larger muscles means you need to eat more and sleep for longer.
Likewise, in many cases acne begins to appear on the face due to an increase in the secretion of fatty substance in the skin.
Psychological changes
In early adolescence, the full ability to think in abstract terms is achieved, although this only occurs if this skill has been practiced and a good education has been enjoyed.
In the same way, gregariousness begins to play a very important role both when it comes to relating to others and looking for references outside the family, and when it comes to building one’s own self-esteem and self-concept. During this time, people experiment with different elements that can make up an identity, such as aesthetics related to urban tribes
In the same way, the opinion that others have of oneself tends to be highly valued. Image and aesthetics are considered to be a primary component of one’s own identity and well-being.
This is the third and last of the stages of adolescence, and occurs approximately between 15 and 19 years old, according to the World Health Organization
Physical changes
People who are in this phase They tend to show more homogeneity in their characteristics than those who are in early adolescence, because the vast majority have already gone through the most abrupt changes. This has led some researchers to conclude that this phase does not differ substantially from adulthood, and that it is only a social construct that exists in certain cultures and not in others. However, it must be taken into account that the psychological impact of social constructs is totally real and, consequently, can influence the maturation process, as we will see.
During late adolescence it is customary to reach the maximum height marked by one’s own growth, and the body complexion becomes completely adult On the other hand, the apparent disproportions that could occur in the first phase of adolescence disappear, giving a much more cohesive appearance to the dimensions of the arms, legs, etc. On the other hand, the body also gains muscle mass and the propensity to accumulate fat remains more or less stable or even reduces a little, although the adoption of better eating habits also plays a role in this.
Psychological changes
In this stage social consciousness finishes developing and you begin to spend a lot of time thinking about situations and processes that are not limited to what you can see, hear and touch in the immediate environment. It is a renunciation of the egocentrism typical of the previous stages, although it does not completely disappear.
Long-term plans take on a much more important role than before, and the image that is given, although it is still relevant, begins to stop being one of the main pillars of one’s own identity. A good part of the egocentrism that defined childhood and the rest of the stages of adolescence is abandoned, which makes it more likely that these young people will become interested in politics and social processes in general, since their objectives become more related to what they It is beyond their social circles.
Although the importance of aesthetics usually declines, in some cases aesthetics continues to be so important that in certain cases an Eating Disorder can develop.
In general, the transition in roles and behavioral expectations that takes place in adolescence, as well as the physical changes that these young people experience firsthand, can give rise to a certain emotional instability. However, this is not an inherent characteristic of adolescence, and many young people go through this stage of life without major psychological complications. In any case, it is recommended that fathers, mothers and legal guardians adopt a particularly open attitude to be interested in the possible forms of discomfort that adolescents may be suffering, to give them the support they need.
