Adolescence and Adulthood Stages
Adolescence and Adulthood Stages
Adolescence transitions into adulthood, a stage that an individual will remain in for the rest of their time on the Earth. Though the transition exists it may be important to remember that many changes still occur in adolescence, changes which allow for an individual to become an adult. Once the adult stage of life has been reached it can be broken down into three modes which give us early, middle, and late adulthood. As with other stages and periods of life they can be defined by marked physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes. Though the changes in adulthood may not be considered as dramatic as those which happen in the years of childhood they hold their own importance as they begin to affect quality of life and how long an individual will remain independent.
Physical Development Milestones in Adolescence Adolescence is a time of many changes in an individual’s life and several physical changes take place during this time in the life span. A few of the most marked changes which occur regarding physical development deal with the endocrine and reproductive system. The endocrine system gives off hormones will allow for the beginning of puberty from a hormonal aspect then the pituitary gland controls the secretion of hormones (Boyd & Bee, 2006). Adolescence is the beginning of sexual maturity and changes of the body will appear which emphasize physical sexual characteristics. Other changes also occur in other body systems, the brain goes through several growth spurts in which portions of the brain further develop and allow for more complex functioning. The skeletal system also continues to grow and adolescents may grow up to six inches per yet during times of growth spurts (Boyd & Bee, 2006). The muscular system changes right along with the skeletal system in which joints grow and prepare themselves for the other changes the body will go through. The development of the heart and lungs continue to change and grow
Adolescence transitions into adulthood, a stage that an individual will remain in for the rest of their time on the Earth. Though the transition exists it may be important to remember that many changes still occur in adolescence, changes which allow for an individual to become an adult. Once the adult stage of life has been reached it can be broken down into three modes which give us early, middle, and late adulthood. As with other stages and periods of life they can be defined by marked physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes. Though the changes in adulthood may not be considered as dramatic as those which happen in the years of childhood they hold their own importance as they begin to affect quality of life and how long an individual will remain independent.
Physical Development Milestones in Adolescence Adolescence is a time of many changes in an individual’s life and several physical changes take place during this time in the life span. A few of the most marked changes which occur regarding physical development deal with the endocrine and reproductive system. The endocrine system gives off hormones will allow for the beginning of puberty from a hormonal aspect then the pituitary gland controls the secretion of hormones (Boyd & Bee, 2006). Adolescence is the beginning of sexual maturity and changes of the body will appear which emphasize physical sexual characteristics. Other changes also occur in other body systems, the brain goes through several growth spurts in which portions of the brain further develop and allow for more complex functioning. The skeletal system also continues to grow and adolescents may grow up to six inches per yet during times of growth spurts (Boyd & Bee, 2006). The muscular system changes right along with the skeletal system in which joints grow and prepare themselves for the other changes the body will go through. The development of the heart and lungs continue to change and grow
References: Boyd, B. & Bee, H. (2006). Lifespan Development. (4th ed). Pearson Education, Inc. Retrieved April 23, 2009, from Denise Boyd & Helen Bee, Week Five, PSY375 Website.