Page 166 - 86 human physiology part-2

Development: Birth Through Death

problematic.

At this age there is also a greater probability of drug and alcohol use, or mental health disorders
such as schizophrenia, eating disorders such as anorexia, and clinical depression. The unstable
emotions or lack of emotional intelligence among some adolescents may also lead to youth crime.

Searching for a unique identity is one of the problems that adolescents often face. Some, but not
all, teenagers often challenge the authority or the rules as a way to establish their individuality. They
may crave adulthood and to find their place in the society.

Among many people of this age, role models such as sports players, rock stars and film|movie and
television performers are very popular, and adolescents often express a desire to be like their chosen
role model. For this reason, people who are considered role models are often heavily criticized for their
behavior, because in our time they are, we might say almost without exception, not socially conscious
enough for the standard to which most children are held by most parents today. Of course, this doesn't
mean that proper upbringing and an inspired life are contradictions; but there rages an argument about
how soon one must make room for the other.

Adulthood

The term adult generally refers to a fully developed person from maturity (the end of puberty)
onward. For females, age 17, and for males, age 18 is considered to be physiologically adult.
Adulthood can refer to a person's ability to care for them self independently, and raise a family of their
own; or it can simply mean reaching a specified age. Graduating high school, residing in one's own
residence and attaining financial independence are all synonymous with adulthood in the United States.

Adult characteristics

There are some qualities that symbolize adultness in most cultures. Not always is there a
concordance between the qualities and the physical age of the person.

The adult character is comprised of:

• Self-control - restraint, emotional control.
• Stability - stable personality, strength.
• Independence - ability to self-regulate.
• Seriousness - ability to deal with life in a serious manner.
• Responsibility - accountability, commitment and reliability.
• Method/Tact - ability to think ahead and plan for the future, patience.
• Endurance - ability and willingness to cope with difficulties that present themselves.
• Experience - breadth of mind, understanding.
• Objectivity - perspective and realism.

Abraham Maslow, a psychologist, developed Maslow's Heiarchy of Needs. It is a chart outlining
basic needs that a person must meet to function and survive in life, and attempts to explain what
motivates people in life. The needs on the lower level must be met before moving up the ladder, as the
higher needs only come into focus once all the needs that are lower down in the pyramid are satisfied.

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