From Tween to Teen

Adolescence is not an event, it is an ongoing process. Young adolescents are as different from older adolescents as the infant is from the kindergartner.

The early years are defined as the year or so directly preceding puberty and the year following it. Late adolescence begins a year or two after the intial entry into puberty and goes all the way until the twentieth birthday.

During this time the tween becomes the teen. Voices begin cracking and bodies begin changing. Parents can expect the following from their growing teens:

1. A need for more independence and freedom, but no real sense of responsibility, or the consequences of their actions.
2. Extreme concern with fitting in with their peers; a strong focus on popularity.
3. Awkwardness in relations toward the opposite sex; they may seek out information from books, TV, and films.
4. Conflicts will increase as they seek more time with peers.
5. Greater displays of intimacy; they still spend a lot of time with family.
6. Beginning exploration of personal religious and moral beliefs.
7. Budding concern with who they are and how they fit into the world.

Physical, emotional,and developmental changes in your teens are quite evident at this time. Parents can expect their teens to:

1. Accept responsibility; acknowledge the consequences of their own actions.
2. Show continued interest in peers, but with more focus on close friendships rather than mere popularity.
3. Pair off more frequently with members of the opposite sex; they are more confident in their knowledge about sex.
4. Conflicts with parents begin to decline.
5. Exhibit less intimacy and time spent with the family.
6. Exhibit personal, religious, and moral beliefs that are more well defined and solidified.
7. Become more concerned with the future and what they are going to do with their lives.

Teens of all ages -- including older adolescents -- see their parents as their primary sources of support and advice regarding such important aspects of their lives as school, friends, and future employment. Of course, every teenager is an individual and there can be exceptions to the above.