CHAPTER 4: ADOLESCENCE



Chapter 4: Adolescence

TERMINOLOGY

adolescence

puberty

menarche

Puberty and Menstruation

What happens during puberty?

Puberty--a period of extremely rapid growth involving biological events with social consequences; adolescence is culturally defined

period of life during which sexual organs mature and ability to reproduce emerges-- primary sex characteristics and secondary sex characteristics

Variations in timing

Gender differences: timing of changes between boys and girls different: girls begin and complete puberty 2 yrs earlier; Age of 10—most white girls, black girls earlier

The most important physiological sex difference in puberty is menarche. Menstruation—obvious physiological difference

There is much variation in timing of bodily changes. It takes about 4 1/2 years for breast development-- this varies greatly

differences in height, body composition and—leads to body shape difference. (Boys more muscle, girls more fatty tissue) Differences in physical configuration increase----obvious ways to tell boys from girls after puberty

The timing, sequence, and duration of the changes may influence teenagers’ views of themselves.

The pubertal “fat spurt” and its implications--- Girls have rapid weight gain in the hips, breasts, and buttocks; mostly fat which is necessary for sexual maturation

Breast development

Breast development is obvious to others, and much teasing occurs

There is a double bind—breasts are seen as necessary and attractive, but there is basically no such thing as “perfect breasts”

Early and Late Maturation

Early—different from other girls, and way ahead of boys same age. May feel awkward and self conscious

Lower self esteem, higher levels depression, and poorer body image. Older peers, may begin sexual activity earlier. May be envied in HS Ok by end of HS

Late --- in synchrony with male peers Low status in Junior high—“little girls”.

By 10th grade,may be more popular and satisfied with appearance than early (may be more slender)

Menstruation

Menarche—first menstrual period

Menstrual Pain—50 – 75% adolescents and young women report pain ea month. (Dysmenorrhea) painful cramps

Leading cause of absence from school/work

Highly anxious women/more menstrual pain

Female anatomy and culture

The meaning of menarche in the U. S. is both positive & negative

Girls who receive no information about menstruation report much more negative experiences of menarche. Despite anxiety, girls engage in some menarcheal competition

Menarche appears to focus girls’ attention on their bodies

Girls seem to believe menarche will transform them suddenly into a mature woman

Physical maturity can prompt parents to restrict girls

Cultural Attitudes toward menstruation

Menarche carries important messages, because sudden and dramatic event during sexual maturation

Contradictory messages—positive and negative both

Menstrual Joy—very little research—all negative

Chrisler research: encouraged to think about positive side, more likely to feel well-being, excitement, and bursts of energy. Sisterhood; signs not pregnant

The conspiracy of silence: Menarche and menstruation are largely taboo subjects

little attention paid to onset of menstruation.

Secrecy makes menstruation seem to be not normal; absence of information can be hazardous to health

Menstruation stigmatizes women-- often characterized as embarrassing and a hygienic crisis

Myths and taboos

Euphemisms

Many girls ambivalent about onset of menstruation

Competition

Conspiracy of silence

Tampax study in 1981: 2/3 americans: menstruation not to be talked about at social gatherings or office, ¼ thought unacceptable topic for home

Menstruation: embarrassing event—needs to be concealed, hygienic crisis.

Researchers: women/men: 46% refused to put unused tampon (unwrapped)to their lips, 69 % refused to put it in their mouth, 3% would not touch

Stigmatizes women: study looked at responses people interacted with confederate who “accidentally” dropped either a tampon or hair clip from purse. Women/tampon---considered less competent and liked less. Participants sat farther away, no gender differences in participants found

The Controversial Premenstrual Syndrome

Controversy—definition (200 symptoms?); idea that all menstruating women experience it—at mercy of “raging hormones”; myth created by culture

Claim that all menstruating women experience it-- Small number--5% significant symptoms, others report none

Mood swings: research doesn’t support—Hardie used definition of mood more depressed or emotional—none of 83 met criteria.

Psychological cultural explanation: PMS a fact of life. Jokes and references everywhere

Hormonal factors may cause premenstrual problems in small %,

Other factors important:

Psych factor: anxiety and strong endorsement of traditionally feminine gender roles

Cultural factors: PMS well established in society, emphasis on biological explanations

Coping: monitor emotional reactions—similar to non cycle? How to reduce problems that create depression/anxiety anytime

Positive Reactions to the Menstrual Cycle

Chrisler and colleagues (1994)

Menstrual Joy Questionnaire (Delaney et al., 1988)

Self-Concept and Identity During Adolescence

Identity—self rating of personal characteristics

Self-esteem—how much you like and value yourself. The evaluation of yourself, negative to positive.

Recent studies: counter reports that female’s self esteem is much lower than males

Meta analysis: over 200 studies, late adolescence finds somewhat larger gap between boys/girls--European-American. Black teens less discrepancy

Social class difference found

Body image—attractiveness more important for girls than boys, from preschool on. Most important dimension teen girls

Good looks and physical beauty

Body Image and Physical Attractiveness

Eating disorders—culture emphasizes female beauty ideal of extreme thinness.

Adolescent girls more concerned with body weight and appearance than males

Dramatic increase in rates of eating disorders since 1980’s—goes along with increase in body dissatisfaction in teen girls.

Media

Physical appearance vs. Athletic competence---appearance strongest predictor of self worth in females.

Males—athletic competence. Concerned with how bodies perform, compared with females preoccupation with how bodies look.

Girls in athletics found to have higher self esteem, along with long term health benefits

Feminist identity

Cultural identity

Transgender identity

Education and Career Planning

Young Women’s Experiences in Middle School and High School

Early Experiences in Math and Science

Subtle biases-discouraging to women

Male peers

Extracurricular groups—girls not joining

Feelings of incompetence despite high performance

School programs—encouraging science for females

Parents & Teachers—support females’ interest in nontraditional fields—seek nonsexist career guidance

Higher Education

Demographics—females: more likely to pursue higher ed

Women—56% university grads in Canada; 56% students enrolled in US college/university

The Academic Environment

Chilly classroom climate

Women of Color and Higher Education—black women more likely to go to college Barriers—message of not belonging, finances, family/cultural

Career Aspirations

1.Adolescent males and females have equivalent aspirations about entering prestigious careers.

2.Adolescent females are more likely than adolescent males to choose careers that are nontraditional for their gender.

3.Adolescent females are more likely than adolescent males to report that they have been effective in gathering information about their future careers.

4. When considering their future careers, adolescent females are more likely than adolescent males to emphasize the importance of marriage and children.

Personal Characteristics

Parents' Backgrounds

Career Aspirations Versus Reality—begin middle or high school with career goals, until message of need to have boyfriend---lose sight of goals.

Romance—boyfriend may not support career ambitions, so less dedicated student

Downscaling Dreams—2/3 of group women studied—diminished aspirations—more energy directed toward romantic relationships.

Interpersonal Relationships During Adolescence

Family Relationships During Adolescence

Adolescents and their parents

Family as basis of identification

Mothers

Discussing emotions

Gender issues

Friendships During Adolescence

Intimacy

Loyalty & trust

Intimate conversation

Interdependence vs. Autonomy

Romantic Relationships During Adolescence

Heterosexual Relationships

Duration

Characteristics of Romantic Partners

Influence on Academic Performance and Career Planning

Lesbian Relationships

Media

Research

Peers

Support groups

Early attractions

Questioning

Coming out

Self-image

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