Adolescence
Most of us probably feel more comfortable communicating with certain age groups. Some of us enjoy playing with children, some prefer chatting with adults, and others like listening to the elderly. As for me, the age group I feel closest to is adolescents.
Unfortunately, when we hear the word “adolescent,” many of us don’t picture anything particularly pleasant. Some of us frown, some roll our eyes, and others openly express their discomfort and begin to complain. Parents complain about the adolescents at home; those who don’t live with adolescents complain about teenage relatives or neighbors; those who have no adolescents around complain about the ones they encounter on the street, in parks, or on public transportation. Even those who have never had a negative experience with adolescents find themselves saying, “What will become of these young people?” In fact, it has reached a point where adolescents themselves seem uncomfortable with being adolescents. They tease each other by saying things like, “Are you such a teenager?” or “Don’t talk like a typical teen.” One way or another, everyone seems to have something to complain about when it comes to adolescents.
So why do I like adolescents so much? To answer that properly, I first need to talk a bit about what adolescence actually is.
What Is Adolescence?
Although adolescence is generally defined as the period between the ages of 10 and 19, some researchers argue that it shouldn’t be limited strictly by age. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that adolescence can extend into later ages, especially in social terms.
This is because adolescence is not only about physical and hormonal changes; it also includes social, emotional, and cognitive development. Factors such as extended education, changing societal expectations, and a delayed transition to independence have stretched the social and psychological boundaries of adolescence. Therefore, rather than defining adolescence strictly by age, it is considered more accurate to focus on an individual’s developmental needs and life experiences.
Adolescence: The Threshold of Change
If I had to describe adolescence in a single word, I would probably say “change.” During this period, young people are exposed to an intense wave of transformations—most of which unfold beyond their control and can last for several years.
Physical Changes
With the release of growth hormones by the pituitary gland, adolescents undergo numerous physical changes. Their bodies transform; there is a significant increase in bone, fat, and muscle mass. Organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, and thyroid nearly double in size and weight. Hormonal activity leads to the activation of sweat glands, the growth of body hair, and increased oil production in the skin, often resulting in acne. They grow taller, gain weight, and, most importantly, reach sexual maturity. Because growth accelerates noticeably during this time, it is often referred to as a “growth spurt.”
In short, adolescents leave behind their childhood bodies and undergo a major physical transformation toward adulthood.
Emotional and Social Changes
Adolescence is also a time of intense and complex emotional change due to hormonal influences. Teenagers may experience sudden shifts between emotions such as anger, joy, sadness, and anxiety, and may struggle to regulate these fluctuations. Rapid bodily changes can lead to self-criticism and negative self-perceptions, while conflicts may trigger strong feelings of anger toward parents.
At the same time, adolescents begin exploring their identity and personal values. The question “Who am I?” becomes central. They start questioning their goals, beliefs, and values. As a result, the desire for independence from the family becomes more prominent. However, this need for independence often coexists with a desire to belong to a group and to receive support from others. They may want to distance themselves from their parents while still needing the security and guidance of a trusted adult. These inner conflicts can make adolescence emotionally exhausting.
Socially, adolescents move away from the dependent relationships of childhood. They begin to question their parents and the values they were taught, rather than accepting them as absolute authority. They also start to critique social norms and search for meaning and justice in their surroundings.
Peer relationships become especially important during this period, playing a key role in identity development and the sense of belonging. While the desire to fit in with peers can sometimes lead to risky behaviors, it also contributes to the development of social skills and self-awareness.
Overall, adolescence is a period of profound emotional and social transformation that serves as a crucial step toward adulthood.
Cognitive Changes
Adolescence is also marked by significant changes in the brain. Teenagers begin to think more critically, generate scenarios, and evaluate possibilities. There is a notable increase in neuroplasticity—especially in the prefrontal cortex, the front part of the brain responsible for decision-making and self-regulation. Neuroplasticity can be understood as the brain’s capacity to change; the higher it is, the more the brain is shaped by experiences.
This means that adolescence is a period highly open to change—for better or worse. Positive experiences can significantly support cognitive development, while negative experiences can leave equally strong adverse effects and influence brain development in harmful ways.
In short, adolescence is a time when the brain is highly sensitive to environmental influences, presenting both great opportunities and significant risks. A healthy environment and supportive experiences play a crucial role in fostering positive cognitive development.
What Does All This Change Mean?
Now, I’d like you to imagine something. Picture a situation in your own life where everything changes rapidly and beyond your control. For example, imagine that you have a stable life and job in Istanbul, and suddenly everything is turned upside down, forcing you to move to another city. You have to leave behind your closest friends and the job you love. In this new environment, you encounter people who don’t understand you—perhaps even questioning your presence.
At the same time, you are dealing with intense emotions and thoughts that you cannot control. You begin to question who you are and what you are living for. Even the values you once believed in come under scrutiny. And your body… it changes too, beyond your control. You gain weight, your appearance shifts, your voice changes, your skin breaks out. You struggle to cope with all these physical changes because none of them are under your control.
Can you imagine it?
How would you feel in such a situation? Angry? Helpless? Afraid? Confused? Would you have difficulty adapting to your new life? Would you need understanding and support from those closest to you?
If your answer is yes, then you can begin to understand what adolescents go through and how challenging this period can be. And when we consider that, despite all these changes, they are also trying to set goals and build a stable sense of identity, it seems they deserve not criticism, but appreciation and support. That is exactly why I like them so much—they are trying to build themselves while navigating a very difficult process.
At this point, you might be thinking: “We went through these ages too—why didn’t we have such a thing as adolescence?”
If we consider that even Socrates, 2,500 years ago, expressed concerns about “the youth of today,” it becomes clear that adolescence has always existed. However, due to life conditions and social structures, it may not have been recognized as such. Children were expected to take on responsibilities early, their inner experiences were not deeply examined, and they transitioned into adulthood as best as they could.
Today, however, with the knowledge provided by science, we understand how critical this period is. Adolescence actually offers us a valuable opportunity to better understand and support young people.
So instead of asking, “Did we even have adolescence in our time?” let’s pause and consider a different question:
“If the adults around me had understood adolescence, recognized its challenges, and supported me during that time, how might my life have been different?”
Let’s reflect on this together. Let’s remember the emotional ups and downs we experienced, our search for identity, and the moments we felt misunderstood. Is the difference between then and now really that adolescence didn’t exist—or that it simply wasn’t recognized?
If your answer is that it wasn’t recognized, then you hold a powerful opportunity today. With this awareness, you can offer your adolescent child one of the most valuable things: truly understanding them, supporting them, and making them feel that you are there for them.
Remember, what you once felt was missing in your own life can become a transformative experience for your child today. And that makes your role as a parent even more meaningful.
So, what do you think—isn’t it worth embracing this opportunity?
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Adolescence. In APA dictionary of psychology. Retrieved December 19, 2024, from https://dictionary.apa.org/adolescence
Dahl, R. E. (2004). Adolescent brain development: a period of vulnerabilities and opportunities. Keynote address. Annals of the new York Academy of Sciences, 1021(1), 1-22.
Parlaz, E. A., Tekgül, N., Karademirci, E., & Öngel, K. (2012). Ergenlik dönemi: fiziksel büyüme, psikolojik ve sosyal gelişim süreci. Turkish Family Physician, 3(2), 10-16.
Steinberg, L. (2018). Fırsatlar dönemi olarak ergenlik (3. b.). E. Boynueğri, (Çev.). Ankara: İmge Kitabevi Yayınları.
Written By: Clinical Psychologist Esra KEÇECİ