The Journey of Adolescents

THE JOURNEY OF ADOLESCENTS
Prepared by: MARIA CRISTINA C. ESPLANA

Objectives
By the end of the session, participants would be
able to:
1. Describe their personal experiences during their
adolescence stage;
2. Describe the intergenerational gap or difference

between their experience and the current behaviors
and contexts their adolescent children are going
through; and
3. Describe insights from the sharing of their

experience as adolescents and that of their
adolescent children.
"We as parents always want the best for our children. We guide
them through the best way we know-how. Sometimes, however, we
exhibit judgmental attitudes towards our adolescent children because
we deal with them from the perspective of our own adolescent
experience. We usually say “noong panahon namin…” and we hear
them say the sentiment “hindi ‘nyo kami naintindihan…” In this
session, we will try to go back to our own experiences or journey
when we were adolescents ourselves. Through that journey, let us
gain some insights in understanding the way our adolescent children
behave in today’s context."
“Responding to the needs of your adolescents requires
a deeper understanding of what they are going through
at their present stage. It is only by having an open
mind to their behaviors, their dreams and passions, and
all the things that they are going through at their
current stage of development that you as parents
would know and better understand them. Thus, you
would become their partners in their development. It is,
therefore, worthwhile to discover or rediscover the
journey of adolescents towards development."
As parents you need to show to your adolescent that

you CARE:
CARE
C - CONNECT and communicate R -REASSURE them that these

with your adolescent changes are normal and
children part of growing up
ADVICE your adolescent ENCOURAGE adolescents to talk

AA-- E-
that it is natural to feel about their feelings and ask
confused, awkward and questions about whatever
bothers and concerns them.
strange
As Adolescents
Adolescents are now in a very exciting
but challenging phase in their life –
adolescence. Adolescence is like a
journey. As we go through this
journey, we experience different kinds
of emotions and changes we see in our
bodies. Let us then talk about that
experience.
What were the common
emotions expressed
during your adolescence?
What were the common

changes observed in your
body, feelings, and
relationships?
Looking back at your
own experience as an
adolescent, what are
your most significant
insights or realizations?
The essence of the developmental tasks among adolescents is captured in the four (4) “I’s”.
key messages: These are – Identity or Individuality, Independence, Intimacy, and Intellectual Ability.
Forming an identity is a lifelong process. However, crucial aspects of identity are

typically formed during adolescence including developing an identity that reflects a
Identity sense of individuality as well as connection to people and groups.
Adolescents want to be able to make own decisions, choose friends, plan activities, and
make their own dreams. Adolescents may yearn to keep a safe, secure, supportive,
Independence dependent relationship with their parents as they used to during childhood but they start to
realize the need for independence, autonomy, and being one's own person.
Adolescents usually develop peer relationships that play powerful roles in providing sense of
belongingness, support, connection, and affirmation in their lives. They tend to shift from
Intimacy friendships based largely on shared interests and activities to those based on sharing ideas and
feeling, mutual trust, and understanding.
Cognitive development means the growth of a child’s ability to

think and reason. This growth happens differently during
Intellectual Ability adolescent years.
IDENTITY or INDIVIDUALITY
▪ Another part of this task is developing a positive identity around gender, physical attributes,
sexuality, and ethnicity as well as sensitivity to the diversity of groups that make up Filipino society.
▪ Adolescents start to become a ‘new someone’ while feeling confused about which path to take.
▪ They need to feel unique but want to belong with peers. Exploration, experimentation and trying on
varied roles, being curious, and constantly changing interests and preferences are all part of the
struggle to define one’s identity.
▪ As teenagers move through middle and late adolescence, the tendency to submit to peer pressure
declines. They begin to have a life of their own. They no longer want to be seen as being like other
people. They want to be recognized as unique individuals apart from their peers.
▪ Adolescents usually start to develop a more complex understanding of moral behaviors, values, and
underlying principles of justice and other virtues. They start to question imposed beliefs and adopt more
personally meaningful values, religious views, and belief systems to guide their decisions and behaviors
INDEPENDENCE
▪ In an attempt to assert their need for independence and individuality, adolescents may
respond in a seemingly hostile and uncooperative manner particularly towards their parents
or family. As such, it is not easy for parents or teenagers to smoothly navigate this
transitional stage as it often creates tension and strain in the parent-child relationship.
Adolescents often do not recognize their need for adult supervision, guidance, and support in
their transition to adulthood.
▪ As adolescents pursue their independence they gravitate towards their friends with whom
they identify and find belongingness. They spend more time with them.
▪ Research has shown that adolescents exhibit their best behavior when they remain closely
connected to their parents but at the same time are allowed to have their own points of view.
INTIMACY
▪ However, as part of their sexual maturation, adolescents feel sexual attraction to others and start to feel an urge
to develop close, personal relationships with someone.
▪ Sometimes, having a special friend or being “on” with someone, makes them feel “in” and it boosts one's
confidence. When relationships are characterized by intimacy and good communication, teens are happier with
themselves. Young people value the support, trust, and closeness they experience in romantic relationships. In fact,
teens have more conflicts with their parents and peers than with romantic partners, though conflict within romantic
relationships increases with age. Spending time together in activities that both partners enjoy is very important to
young couples. When this dimension of intimacy is missing, relationships often come to an end.
▪ Healthy relationships can support sexuality development, an important part of growing to adulthood. However,
most adolescents believe that sex is part of a romantic relationship, as such, intimacy may result to sexual
engagements. In most cases, these results to unintended pregnancies or infections to Sexually Transmitted
Infections (STIs) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) that
significantly impact on their capacity to achieve their life goals
INTIMACY
▪ Moreover, relationships can have other psychological down sides. Entering a romantic
relationship almost inevitably leads to the emotionally vulnerable experience of breaking up. For
teens who are more sensitive to rejection, breaking up can trigger a dive into self-doubt and
despair. Low-quality relationships that are characterized by a lack of trust, constant conflict,
and dating violence can also leave young people prey to depression and anxiety.
▪ It’s also normal for children to have no interest in romantic relationships until their late
teens. Some choose to focus on schoolwork, sports or other interests.
INTELLECTUAL ABILITY
• In their cognitive development, adolescents develop more mature intellectual
abilities that includes the following:
▪ Thinking of more complex concepts or formal logical operations.
▪ Abstract thinking. This means thinking about possibilities.
▪ Reason from known principles. This means forming own new ideas or questions.
▪ Consider many points of view. This means to compare or debate ideas or
opinions.
▪ Think about the process of thinking. This means being aware of the act of
thought processeS.
INTELLECTUAL ABILITY
• Moreover, adolescents experience a sudden increase in their ability to think about
their world. However, they are also able to conceive of their world with a new level
of awareness.
▪ Adolescents become more socially conscious. They become more critical of the
rationale and practicality of existing rules at home and in the society including the
schools.
THANK YOU!

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THE JOURNEY OF ADOLESCENTS

Prepared by: MARIA CRISTINA C. ESPLANA

2. Describe the intergenerational gap or difference

3. Describe insights from the sharing of their

As parents you need to show to your adolescent that

C - CONNECT and communicate R -REASSURE them that these

ADVICE your adolescent ENCOURAGE adolescents to talk

What were the common

Forming an identity is a lifelong process. However, crucial aspects of identity are

Cognitive development means the growth of a child’s ability to

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