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Adolescent Paper

Denisa Llangos
Adolescent Paper
SW 3510
11/17/13
Ey8514
Jun

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Adolescent Paper

Adolescence is the beginning of biological growth and development during adolescence

is signified by the onset of puberty. It is often defined as the physical transformation of a child
into an adult, and this happens between the ages of 11 to 21. It represents one of the critical
transitions in the life span and is characterized by a tremendous pace in growth and change that
is second only to that of infancy. (Ashford, 2000). It is interesting to see how we all shaped as
we pass through this period of the life span. Time has changed as humans evolve. However the
adolescents physical, cognitive and emotional behavior follow the same pattern. As far as my
adolescent years, they are pretty much summarized in two simple words, roller coaster! It is
definitely not easy to write and think about these times, but it helps that it wasnt long ago
although it feels like it has been forever.
According to Erickson (Ashford, 2013) adolescent development is composed of three
periods: early (physical changes and peer approval are prominent), middle (reflection and selfdiscovery are prominent), and late (familial independence and personal identity are prominent).
Going through my adolescence years was not easy but it was the most critical time of my life. I
was born in Albania and lived there until the age of thirteen then my family and I had the
opportunity to move to America and so here I am. Before moving to America, school back home
was very different from here. It was mandatory to learn a second language at young age and
when asked what I wanted to learn I chose English. I know now I made the right choice. It
wasnt an easy language to learn with so many rules to follow. However I learned to like it.
According to the learning theory, new information was being processed and at a young age like I
was learning a new language was easier due to the high level of cognitive function (Ashford,
2013). Meanwhile, as my cognitive learning ability to absorb something new such as a new
language was easy at that age. Other stuff such as fitting in or being accepted by my peers was

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Adolescent Paper

the biggest obstacle of all. There are many differences that we as an individual bring to the table;
however at that age we are more alike. In some ways we believe and follow the same thing
because no one wants to be an outcast. Aside from our culture and religious beliefs which are
whole different issues, going through the stages of adolescents we all share the same cognitive
and physical behaviors. However, as you may know, Albania is a poor country so there werent
many material things that could make you more popular than others, which here in the US is one
of the biggest issues that adolescents face. As adolescents, fitting in a certain group means
wearing certain things and acting a certain way. As I compare and contrast what I have been
through during the beginning stage of adolescence here and in Albania.
As the hormonal level peaked my body changed, I got taller, thinner, hair got thicker, and
even the way I walked changed. Aside from the physical change, there was also mental and
emotional change. Facing all of these changes as an adolescent and on top of it trying to fit into a
group was very difficult. So as I mentioned above, living in Albania wearing certain things did
not define what group you were in because wearing brand named clothing, we were all the
same, however acting a certain way did like sharing and caring not only for family but all who
surrounded you. Playing a sport or doing a physical activity helped you fit into what we called it
popular which meant the peers that were rich and did the activities that were most looked
upon. Physical activity was a dominant factor. In school we had two hours of recess in between
classes and also after school we played games outside because we did not have video games to
stay inside. Back home I had my group of friends who accepted me and to be part of their group.
Little did I know that moving to America was gone take me back to square one, building my
whole group that I had in Albania. I was familiar with English so it wasnt the main barrier but
making friends was one of my biggest challenges. Friendship and kindness were the norm that

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Adolescent Paper

exists in my culture to this day, as we grew up around many people and a big family. My first
day in school in America was a very memorable day that I will never forget. I was the only
Albanian student so I had no one who understood me. As I was walking from class to class, I was
getting stared at, felt very strange and frightened but also very curious to why I was getting that
kind of attention. It didnt last long but for a period of time I stayed the new kid in school that
everyone was staring at. At the time all I had as real friends was my family. Growing up I had to
obey my parents rules and anything that I did, I had to gain my parents permission. School was
the number one goal that was emphasized in my family and I was punished if I did not do well in
school. According to the Bowen(Ashford, 2013) family systems theory of human behavior views
the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the complex interactions in
the unit. It is the nature of a family that its members are intensely connected emotionally. Often
people feel distant or disconnected from their families, but this is more a feeling rather than fact.
Family members so profoundly affect each other's thoughts, feelings, and actions that it often
seems as if members are living under the same "emotional skin." People solicit each other's
attention, approval, and support and react to each other's needs, expectations, and distress. At the
time I didnt have any friends and my family was the only social interaction that I had which
made me build a stronger relationship with them. There are certain things that you open up with
friends or your peers that you dont with your family members, and that was different for me. No
matter where life takes me I will always remain different as long as my culture is passed on to
the next generation and so on as it has been for centuries. Different is who I am no matter how
many years I lived in another country, I am always going to be from another place, also in terms
of ethnicity, culture, traditions, morals, and race. What I have noticed in my adolescent years
there is a pattern when it comes to choosing my friends. Meeting new people is one of my

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Adolescent Paper

favorite things to do, I love different cultures and I think it is what makes us unique and special
in many ways. When I came here I really wanted to fit in and make new friends other than those
of my race. I changed myself a lot from acting and dressing in a certain way. Yes, I did make
friends and was a part of a group but I lost myself in the process. My grades were dropping and I
was even starting to miss classes. Things that I had never done before and that my parents never
knew about because of their lack in understanding the English language. Later towards the end of
my adolescent years I realized that those werent important and I gained myself back by
changing friends, behavior, and the way I dressed to become myself I found my true
individuality and I developed my own identity. Id is driven by pleasure, unconscious in a way
being selfish and ego as the rational one, the most conscious system, mediates the continues
conflict between identity and the demands of reality. Now as a grown woman I understand why
adolescent stage in the life span is very important and critical. Some of the decisions that you
make during this stage can affect you later in life. Therefore, it makes sense that as you pass that
critical stage in life. You dont only gain your individuality but also your independence.

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References
Ashford B.Jose, Lecroy W. Craig: Human Behavior in the Social Environment; A
Multidimensional Perspective, 2013, Fifth Edition
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD; Mary Story, PhD; Peter J. Hannan, MStat; Terri Tharp,
MPH; Jeanna Rex, Med: Factors Associated With Changes in Physical Activity: A Cohort Study
of Inactive Adolescent Girls (August 2003) Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD; Mary Story, PhD;
Peter J. Hannan, MStat; Terri Tharp, MPH; Jeanna Rex, Med
Johnson W. David and Johnson T. Roger: An Educational Psychology Success
Interdependence Theory and Cooperative Learning. Educational Researcher Vol.38, No.5 (JunJuly, 2009) pp.365-379
UNICEF (2002). Adolescence: A Time That Matters: Freedom, Justice, equality (92-8063737-1, 978-92-806-3737-3).