Adolescence

Abstract

Abstract The etymology of the term “adolescence” invokes notions of growth, transformation, and evolution. The period of adolescence extends from the transformations of puberty to full entry into adult life. It is an intermediary stage – the period of life when a young person is no longer a child and is no longer perceived as such, but does not yet possess all the privileges of an adult. The adolescent must become an actor and partner in the world of others, and do so with a sexual identity. The characterization of adolescence depends on the way a collective perceives the young person during their sexual maturation and progressive entrance into the responsibilities of adulthood within the group. Young people are granted a particular status in relation to sexuality and social responsibilities according to their gender. All human societies define an intervening period between childhood and adulthood. For certain societies the passage toward adult responsibilities is imperceptible, and takes place without ritual mobilization. In other societies this passage is carefully marked by initiation rites, which are a necessary sign of the young person becoming an adult man or woman through a series of stages determined by tradition.