Changes in Adolescence
Social Changes
Young adolescents want to be independent and belong to a peer group. At the same time, they still desire and need their parents’ support. During the Middle Years, young adolescents often experience:
- a strong desire to be with peers
- changes in relationships among peers, teachers, coaches and others
- a need to belong to, and participate in, a group
- more empathy towards others
- peer pressure
- a need to be accepted by peers and adults
- admiration for role models
- pleasure and satisfaction in team sports and competition
- a desire to test limits and question rules
“Moving to a new school really changed my daughter’s social circle. All of a sudden, I didn’t know everyone she talked about. I had to meet new parents and learn about these new friends before I could let her go on a sleepover or to that friend’s home. Sometimes she was impatient with me for not just letting her go to someone’s place, but I had to explain to her that I didn’t know this friend and I needed time to adjust to the changes too.”
“I’ve noticed that sometimes as they change, their friendships change too.”
“At our school we offer a lot of extra-curricular clubs and activities so that students can make new friends as well as explore new interests.”
