Building Stepfamilies That Work©	

Teen Development

AREA	EARLY ADOLESCENT
11 to 14 Years	MID ADOLESCENT
15 to 17 Years	LATE ADOLESCENT
18 to 20 Years	
BODY	Rapid changes leading to discomfort and self- consciousness: body image in flux	Growing comfort with body	Acceptance of adult body.	
FAMILY	Strong but ambivalent ties to family.	Struggle for independence and autonomy; constant testing of limits	Re-establishment of ties with family.	
PEERS	Same sex friends most common.	Strong peer influence assists in separation from family.	Individual relationships sought and valued	
SEXUALITY	Undifferentiated relationships with same and opposite sex; fantasy common but actual activity infrequent.	Sexual experimentation and risk taking; need to feel grown-up; tendency to be easily influenced.	Intimate, committed relationships sought.   	
COGNITION	Concrete, here-and-now thinking; inability to appreciate long-term consequences of actions; denial as major defense.	Impulsive and unpredictable behaviour; variable ability think abstractly.	Abstract thinking achieved by most but not all.	
IDENTITY	Self-concept changing from child to adult; awkward and shy in social situations; authority figures looked to for guidance.	Preoccupation with self and own concerns; moodiness; limited social skills; authority figures viewed as threats to autonomy.    	Ability to appreciate others' needs and feelings; authority figures viewed as equals.	

Adapted from: Maternal Child Nursing -Vol. 11, Number 6. November-December, 1986. page 339. Care of Postpartum Adolescents by Suzanne A Fuller.

Teen Development.rtf Feb 2008