Adolescence

                           Adolescence

Adolescence, the period of life between childhood and adulthood may be regarded as one of the most crucial stages through which the human individual passes in his journey from conception to death. It is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development. Changes in physique and the maturation of the reproductive system bring with them associated changes in emotions and the whole pattern of psychological characteristics is restructured as the individual strives to attain a sense of identity. The adolescent can grasp general principles, theories, and implications. He can see through some of the surface responses of people to their real feelings. He is no longer content with the active, unorganized games of childhood. He wants socialization and organization in his activities. He also develops skills that will help him carry out adult relationships and roles and the capacity for reasoning. They overhaul their ideas about life and plan for a future that they now see is rushing upon them. It is probable that an adolescent of eighteen or twenty years of age has enough mental capacity for adult activities and adult thinking, but he lacks experience of life and therefore often gallops off in pursuit of foolish and unreachable goals. The adolescent period comprises many risk factors. A huge number of adolescents including adolescents students get into the habit of taking alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs. They also get involved in sexual relationships which very often results in unintentional injuries, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases. The inability of understanding complex situations and concepts or the relationships between behavior and consequences sometimes leads them to vulnerable sexual exploitation and high-risk behaviors. Parents and members of the community should always be alert to the development and adjustment of adolescents. We expect that they will be guided by their superiors and they will act sensibly and follow the right track of life during this vulnerable stage of life.