Adolescent Needs

In what is the most rapidly changing period of their lives, the adolescent years
are highly transformative to their personality. They are not only undergoing
major physical changes to their body and appearance but also experiencing
cognitive, socio-emotional and interpersonal growth. This is a phase of incredible
influence, as the growing youth, their eco-system of family, friends, peers along
with the community, culture and media are giving continuous input to their
evolving identity and the way the perceive the world and want to be perceived.
Theoretically there are various perspectives that focus on the developmental
areas and issues of adolescents. Although the main focus of each may be
different, there are some common elements that are prevalent in the approaches
through the early, middle and late adolescent years. (AACAP, 2003)

Adolescence is a time of transition that involves a multi-dimensional change.

These changes, as identified above, occur at a different pace for every person
within gender, the social structures and the living environment in each
adolescent. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) defines adolescents as
being between the ages of 10-19, which is also the same group that the WHO
describes adolescents as. However, The World Programme of Action for Youth
refers to adolescents as youth that are between the ages of 15-24 (UN DESA,

2003). This is also the similar reference point for the World Bank and the
International Labour Organisation in program development and implementation.
The World Programme of Action for Youth estimates that there more than a billion
youth in the ages of 15-24, with a majority of 85% living in developing countries.
Of these, 60% live in Asia, 15% in Africa and 10% in Latin America and the
Caribbean and the remaining in other developing countries and regions (UN
DESA 2003). Adolescence is defined differently in each country and region
according to their cultural beliefs and practices; it can be viewed as a transition
stage between childhood and adulthood or a moving from a stage of dependence
to autonomy.
Even though adolescence is seen as a developmental stage on its own, there are
several stages is seen as a developmental stage on its own, there are several
stages within the stage as well. There are unique cognitive, behavioural and
social interactions and experiences that the adolescents undergo, which is why a
monolithic interpretation overshadows these differences and needs. As a result,
making programs and interventions ineffective, if designed on the whole and not
adhering to its crucial parts.
The physical changes in early adolescence (10-13 years) mark the beginning of
the physical and sexual maturation changes which go on through to the late
adolescent years. Cognitively, adolescents in the early stage develop and
become more aware of their critical thinking abilities and then move on to
thinking abstractly and develop their reasoning abilities. Emotional and Social
changes also take a major part of their development, and they begin to start
exploring opportunities to exercise their opinions and make decisions. Their
peers take on the role of being bigger influences than their families and become
more independent in thought. All this lead to their building of a stronger sense of
self and identity (ReCAPP 2003).
Therefore, it is widely accepted that there can be five broad areas of feeling and
behaviour that can be categorized to understand the development parts of
adolescents, mainly the movement towards independence, their future interests
and cognition, their identity and role of sexuality, physical changes and their
sense of self, ethics, identity and self-direction.

Programmatically, adolescents are the emerging generation. They are the

generation that if nurtured and given the awareness and opportunities will the
taking forward and establishing the social, cultural and political structures of the
world. Being in decision making positions, they will have the authority to pave
the path for change and progressive and inclusive development. For the same,
they need to be given effective avenues to learn and exercise the same,
exchange and interact to not only build their knowledge but also see the impact
of putting it into practice. Adolescence is an age of opportunity, it is formative in
more crucial ways than one, hence there is tremendous opportunity in
transforming how they see themselves and their role in their community and
world. From the developmental perspective, it is a pivotal time to help them
navigate through the risks and vulnerabilities that will assist them to be on the
path to help them fulfil their potential.

References:
Age of Opportunity, State of the Worlds Children Report, UNICEF (2011)
Perspectives and Frameworks of Adolescence, UNICEF (2005)
Adolescent Growth and Development, Guidelines for Adolescent Nutritional
Services, Chapter 1 (Jamie Stang and Mary Story)
Developing Adolescents: A Reference for Professionals, American Psychological
Association, 2002
Stages of Adolescent Development, Research Facts and Findings, Cornell
University, 2004