User talk:Jessybabu/sandbox

INTRODUCTION
Adolescence (from Latin adolescere, meaning 'to grow up') is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood (age of majority). Adolescence is usually associated with the teenage years, but its physical, psychological or cultural expressions may begin earlier and end later. Subsequently, today's youth face many challenges that are quite different from their parents' own teenage years; challenges that their parents simply did not encounter. Therefore, the parents of today's youth cannot readily draw upon their own teenage experiences to understand some of the difficulties facing youth in contemporary society. There are even several other *problems that today’s adolescent are facing like: psychological problems, mental illness, behavioral problems, cyberspace addiction, alcohol and drug usage etc., and not knowing where they would end up in future if it’s been continued.

Behavioral Changes
Case Study : Raju was a 16 year old boy. He was a very good and innocent boy, where everybody in home, school and community liked Raju. One day Raju misbehaved with his mother for the first time and even mother also let off the situation. But day by day Raju’s behavior was totally changing, he became very angry person, neglecting parents words, not concentrating in studies properly complains started to arise even from school principal and teachers too. Finally Raju’s mother noticed everything and found out what is the reason behind Raju’s misbehavior and came up with the solutions to the problem.

Reasons for Behavioral Changes
 Adolescence is the time when children develop and exercise their independence. This can even give rise to questioning the parent’s rules (arguing) and standing up for what they believe and say is right ( stubbornness).  A significant developmental change in the brain makes teens moody, tired and difficult to deal with the situations.  As a part of their new-found independence, adolescents may also want to try new things and take risks, resulting in careless behavior and dangerous too.  Sometimes peer pressure and the need to ‘fit in’ can make them behave in a certain way or develop certain habits that are hard to break.  Teen’s dressing, hairstyle, and sense of fashion also change, mostly to something that the parents may not like it.  Lying is one of the common teen behavioral issues. Teens may lie to avoid confrontation with parents or even due to out of fear.

Solutions
 Behavioral problems in adolescence can make life difficult for parents. But remember that it is a passing phase of life and it is entirely normal.  Gaining the child’s trust is important and even we can help them with their behavioral issues. Talk to them and listen to what they have to say. Do not judge or criticize them, as it could worsen their behavior.  Let them know that their parents love them just as they are. Encourage them to be true to themselves and not take on a personality just as to please others.  We should make them to understand a fact that adolescent child is not completely independent in dealing with his/her emotions and needs the elderly people support. Help him/her by telling them what to do when they are feeling sad, angry, jealous, etc. He/She can try those solutions to come out of his/her emotional issues.  The parents will have to intervene whether their child is falling into bad company. To note that adolescents are sensitive and may not take criticism well.

Alcohol and Smoking
Case study: A 14-year-old John was coming home late from school almost every day. He also seemed moody and distracted at home. He grew his hair long, was doing poorly at school and ate little. One day his mother was trying to clean John’s room, she found a cigarette in his jacket, and an alcohol bottle in his cupboard. She knew there was some problem with John, where the mother found the reason behind this and brought the some solutions where she could bring back her son to a normal state.

Reasons for Alcohol and Smoking
 Peer pressure is one of the significant factors that drive adolescents to take up smoking and drinking or even to drugs.  The tendency to take risk encourages most teens to try smoking or drinking even before they are of legal age.  What may start as a ‘thrill’, can become a habit if it remains unchecked and dangerous too.  If there is somebody who smokes or drinks at home, they can become your teen’s role models which are not good.  Poor self-esteem and the need to be ‘cool’ can push adolescents to smoke or drink.  Easy access to substances like cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, and anabolic steroids may increase the temptation to try illicit substances.  Once the drinking or smoking habits are developed in an individual, then they tend to use those habits in any situation of life (happy, sad, tensed, angry etc).  Studies shows that the number of smoking and drinking by girls has increased a lot than boys, which leads to when ladies give birth it affects the baby with respect to the health.

Solutions
 Keep an eye on the child’s behavior. Look for erratic behavior and change in his or her appetite, sleep patterns, and moods.  Do not spy on them or accuse them of any wrongdoing. Encourage them to talk and be honest. Tell them what the concerns as a parent are and discuss the problem with them.  If the child is not willing to talk to parents, the doctors can ask confidential questions to know if they are abusing any substances. Avoid going as far as a drug test, as that may come across as confrontational and threaten the child.  If necessary, get the adolescent the appropriate treatment.  An awareness program should be conducted in schools with respects to the substance usage.

Addiction to Cyberspace
The advent of social media has changed the way we interact with each other. It has affected teenage lifestyles the most.

Reasons for Addiction to Cyberspace
 We see adolescents spending hours on phone, texting, talking or simply playing games.  Adolescents addicted to the internet tend to have fewer friends and a less active social life. They lead solitary lives and are happy browsing the internet for hours.  Addiction to cyberspace also cuts short their physical activities, resulting in an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle.  Internet addiction adversely impacts academic performance.  They even forget their responsibilities that are given to them and mostly their self responsibilities too.  Instead of having a friendship in face to face, the adolescents often have their friendship whom they even know what kind of person they are which leads of abusing specially girls and to extreme even death.

Solutions
 Do not say ‘no’ to the Internet. That will only make them adamant. Instead, talk about the concerns that the parents have for their child and help them work on other things that do not require a computer.  Parental controlling is good, but that may not be taken well by the teens – to note that they are not kids anymore. At the same time, they may also not have the judgment to make the right choices. So guide them as a parent, but never decide for them.  Enroll them in activities that encourage them to interact with others. Have family activities that will make them want to spend less time at the computer.  Have some cyber rules and boundaries for everybody at home. Limit the use of the mobile phone to a few hours in a day, and avoid bringing the phone to the bedroom as it is likely to affect a person’s sleep.  Make sure the adolescents know about the merits and demerits of internet specially the friends on the social media so that they may not fall into the trap.

CONCLUSION
Adolescence is not an easy period for both the teens as well as parents. The only way to deal with needs and problems at this age is to know about them and be ready to face them also prepare the adolescents to face the challenges that come across to lead a happy life.