Social Transitions IWhat does it mean to be an adolescent?Slide 3Historical considerationsVariations in social transitions during adolescenceVariations in social transitionsSlide 7Social Transitions ISocial Transitions IMoving into and out of Moving into and out of adolescence adolescenceWhat does it mean to be an What does it mean to be an adolescent?adolescent?When individuals move into When individuals move into adolescence, they begin a process adolescence, they begin a process of social redefinitionof social redefinitionChange of status universal, however Change of status universal, however cultural variations and historical cultural variations and historical changes in specificschanges in specificsAdditional expectations are placed on Additional expectations are placed on the individualthe individualAdditional responsibilities are givenAdditional responsibilities are givenWhat does it mean to be an What does it mean to be an adolescent?adolescent?Common practices during social Common practices during social redefinitionredefinitionYoung person physically separates from Young person physically separates from parentsparentsGender differences are accentuatedGender differences are accentuated““Mature” cultural, practical, and Mature” cultural, practical, and historical information is taughthistorical information is taughtHistorical considerationsHistorical considerations““Adolescence” as a recognized, prolonged Adolescence” as a recognized, prolonged life stage relatively recent phenomenon life stage relatively recent phenomenon (~mid-1800s for Industrialized nations)(~mid-1800s for Industrialized nations)Children used to be treated as mini-adults, Children used to be treated as mini-adults, little real distinction between younger little real distinction between younger children and older children (adolescents)children and older children (adolescents)With industrialization, the view shifted to With industrialization, the view shifted to looking at the second decade of life as a looking at the second decade of life as a time of time of preparationpreparation, rather than , rather than participationparticipationVariations in social transitions Variations in social transitions during adolescenceduring adolescenceThe transition into (and out of) adolescence is quite The transition into (and out of) adolescence is quite ambiguousambiguousStatus changes happen at different times, leading to Status changes happen at different times, leading to confusion for someconfusion for some(e.g., driving, employment, substance use, sexual onset, (e.g., driving, employment, substance use, sexual onset, parenting, independence from parents)parenting, independence from parents)Laws regulating behavior of “juveniles” are sometimes Laws regulating behavior of “juveniles” are sometimes confusing and seemingly contradictoryconfusing and seemingly contradictoryFormal initiation ceremonies help clarify the transition in Formal initiation ceremonies help clarify the transition in traditional societies, where the community shares similar traditional societies, where the community shares similar religious beliefs and daily experiencesreligious beliefs and daily experiencesHowever in industrialized nations, formalized ceremonies (e.g., However in industrialized nations, formalized ceremonies (e.g., the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, quinceathe Bar/Bat Mitzvah, quinceañerañera) tend not to signify large ) tend not to signify large status changes outside of the religious community/family/close status changes outside of the religious community/family/close circle of friendscircle of friendsVariations in social transitionsVariations in social transitionsSome transitions are more gradualSome transitions are more gradualContinuous transitionsContinuous transitionsA gradual transition, helps to prepare adolescent for adult roles A gradual transition, helps to prepare adolescent for adult roles and responsibilitiesand responsibilitiesApprenticeshipsApprenticeshipsTransition to adult family roles in traditional culturesTransition to adult family roles in traditional culturesDiscontinuous transitionsDiscontinuous transitionsAdult/mature role changes occur abruptly without much direct Adult/mature role changes occur abruptly without much direct preparation preparation Transition to parenthood in industrialized nationsTransition to parenthood in industrialized nationsSchool to work transitionSchool to work transitionVariations in social transitions Variations in social transitions during adolescenceduring adolescenceImplications of variations in continuityImplications of variations in continuityAdult roles may be difficult to assume!Adult roles may be difficult to assume!Some scholars argue that adolescents and Some scholars argue that adolescents and young adults in US and similar countries young adults in US and similar countries receive little to no preparation for working, receive little to no preparation for working, childrearing, and establishing and childrearing, and establishing and maintaining committed romantic maintaining committed romantic