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Generally the most significant change the adolescent will face is puberty and the evolution of not only physical aspect but cognitively speaking as well. Personally, I started puberty what seemed to be much earlier than nearly all of my peers. This time for me was especially revealing as I had to maneuver my social world trying to fit in but awkwardly stood out.

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This time of transition is a time in which the adolescent has an introduction of hormones that begin to shape him both mentally and physically. I found this to be a period of time that I felt I knew it all; I had an answer for everything. Furthermore, in retrospect I recognize my willingness to commit to risks where the reward did not outweigh the former. It was a time of pushing the proverbial envelope and discovering where I’d fit in.

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Many transitions tend to occur throughout the different stages in our lives; social transitions being one of them. This is a time that begins to take shape during adolescence when one explores their social realms, discovers their interests and where they fit in. For me, I noticed a major social transition when the older I got, the more I felt I could speak and act freely around not only my parents, but other older adults. I began to feel as if my thoughts and opinions were heard and respected as I increased in age, and that I was also becoming a person that other adults could confide in.

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Out of the four parenting styles, I would say both of my parents were authoritative. Although they divorced at a young age, they both communicated effectively about what was to be expected at both households regarding my brothers and me. I feel that my parents had to learn as I have an older brother and I am also a twin, so I think my parents had to really had to do some self discovery in their parenting styles. Rules were set in place and were to be followed, but my parents were also very caring and had my best interest in mind.

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Adolescence is a time of navigating the world of friendships, interests, and peer pressure. There are a plethora of factors that influence and shape who we are. These experiences tend to shape our personality and either damper or further our interests in something. This is typically the result, as the factors influence or emotions, attitudes, and behaviors. In my experience found there are many things that we will do, and situations we might put ourselves in to be accepted. Some of them may be willful and some through that peer pressure. Some may be uncomfortable, and some not so much. Nonetheless, all of these things and people we experience all have one thing in common; they all affect our character.

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Undoubtedly the education system, no matter where you are, significantly assists in the social growth and development of the youth. Learning to read, write, and arithmetic are certainly known to be taught in the halls of academia however, something that is learned within those same halls are that on how to behave in order to fit in. From the way teachers present curriculum, to expectations and norms amongst peer groups, are just a few factors that influence the adolescent.

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Depending on ones interests and level of skill, there are a variety of activities or jobs adolescents can partake in.

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Employment in adolescence, whether working in a traditional style job, like food service, retail or a less traditional job like something more “under the table” such as babysitting, lawn care, etc. The development of certain values become apparent more defined. I found that starting a job later in adolescence at the time somewhat hurt me however, I was also in sports at the time and although it was difficult, I am glad that I had to work and learn the value of managing my own time and money along with prioritizing my obligations.

It is no secret that most adolescents want to socialize and spend much of their free time together; this is often done in a variety of different ways. During my adolescence I struggled to not be with my friends, I felt like no matter what is was we were more times than not together. I feel that those relationships wether they had a bad or good influence on me at the time were all purposeful and still hold meaning in my life thus far.

Media has been portrayed as a sort of necessary evil in our society. When it comes to adolescents and what they are exposed to particularly through social medias, often influence the way they think and behave. As an adolescent I did not have access to things like social media. There was little knowledge about it and it did not seem to be the social norm. Therefore this has carried into my adult life and I have continued to stay away from social media and similar entities.

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Self discovery is something we all go through. The journey is not meant to be trekked alone. 

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Adolescence is a critical period for self discovery and identity formation. During this stage, individuals explore and define who they are, what they believe in, and what they want to achieve in life. They grapple with questions about their values, interests, strengths, weaknesses and aspirations, often seeking validation and acceptance from peers and authority figures. Throughout my adolescence I found myself having a diverse group of friends, some who taught me well and others not so much. During this process of elimination of my peers over time I was able to better understand myself and the path that I wanted to take as I entered into early adulthood. All of the relationships that I have had I value to some degree as they have all taught me the importance of some value or another.

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Adolescent autonomy is the growing independence and decision-making ability teens develop as they transition to adulthood, balancing newfound freedom with guidance from parents or caregivers. 

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The process of adolescent autonomy involves teens gradually gaining independence, making their own decisions, taking responsibility for their own actions, and asserting their individuality. This development occurs alongside a need for guidance and support from parents or caregivers to ensure a balanced transition to adulthood. My experience of self exploration as a teen was going more against the grain, and more forceful about doing what I wanted to do and not always following the guidance from my support system. When I graduated high school and enlisted in the army, I had to start functioning at a higher level than my peers back home and began to start taking accountability for my own actions. While these were both learned and common sense.

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Intimacy in adolescent development involves teens forming deeper emotional bonds with peers, exploring friendships and romantic relationships, and developing social skills and empathy. 

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In adolescent development, intimacy is a crucial aspect where teens start to cultivate deeper emotional connections with others. This involves exploring friendships that go beyond superficial interactions, delving into romantic relationships that involve trust and understanding, and learning to navigate the complexities of interpersonal dynamics. Through these experiences, adolescents develop social skills, empathy, and a stronger sense of identity. This phase helps them understand the value of close relationships and prepares them for adult relationships and responsibilities. As a freshman in high school I began dating and that relationship lasted all the way through high school. We began our relationship as just friends but as time passed, we began to notice that our feelings had grown stronger for one another and started dating. During our relationship I learned how to better communicate openly, trust, and navigate the ups and downs of teenage love. I leaned a deeper understanding of emotional intimacy, and learned to prioritize mutual respect and understanding, and developed valuable skills for maintaining healthy relationships in the future.

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I chose this image because it portrays the young curious mind of a boy and suggests how sexuality in teens can take over the mind and make it difficult to concentrate. 

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Adolescent sexuality in psychology involves the exploration of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of sexual development during adolescence. It encompasses understanding sexual desires, relationships, and decision making within cultural context, influence by factors like peer influence, family dynamics, media, and education. I became interested in girls at a young age and having divorced parents who worked allowed me to spend more time with them as I got older. It wasn’t always that I was allowed to, it was the fact that I took the opportunity and I would say based on my experience looking back, my behavior was based more on what felt good or desirable rather than reasoning.

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This image symbolizes how difficult it can be to reach a feeling of achievement of personal goals. How we have set backs that push us to keep striving for those goals.

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Achievement in adolescents refers to the pursuit and attainment of goals in various domains such as academics, sports, arts, or personal development. It involves setting goals, working towards them, and experiencing success or failure. Achievements during adolescence can have a significant impact on self-esteem, identity formation, and future aspirations. Psychologists study factors such as motivation, self-efficacy, parental influence, and school environment to understand how adolescents perceive and pursue achievement. Throughout my childhood I generally found myself trying new things, this was kind of an achievement in itself. I was never one to be particularly worried about how I measured up to others, although I was competitive and never deterred from standards I set for myself in order to reach my goals. I did this in sports primarily and then later in a program that exploited my interest in the military and taught me to continue to hold myself accountable for those same standards and eventually enlist and serve.