Social changes and development in adolescence

Social changes and development in adolescence

Social animal. He is born in a society and he develops works and progresses in the society. Social development is very essential for proper adjustment in the society. In adolescence the child enters quite a new field of social responsibilities. The adolescence becomes self-conscious of his place in the society. In these circumstances, the major social changes that normally occur in adolescents are as follows:

i) Increased peer-group influence: with the advancing age, the child remains most of the time with his friends. The friends and type of peer-group the adolescent joins, shape his behavior, speech and interests than the family does. If members of the peer-group experiment with alcohol, drugs, or tobacco, adolescents are likely to do the same.

ii) Changes in social behavior: the most marked and important social change in adolescents is radical shift form disliking members of the opposite sex to preferring their companionship. Besides these, the adolescents make friendship with those who conform to their standard and do not tolerate the interference of parents and other members in selecting friends.

iii) There is an increasing interest to attend parties, fairs, and celebrations where members of both sexes meet.

iv) Adolescents take interest in taking up various types of problems.

v) Achievements whether in sports, school work, or social activities bring personal satisfaction in the adolescents.

vi) A strong desire for independence develops in adolescence. This leads to many clashes with parents and other adult in authority.