Adolescent Self-Portrait Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 590 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 2

Adolescence

Adolescent Self-Portrait

Adolescence: A conflicted life period

Adolescence is often considered to be a particularly 'fraught' time during the average individual's life history. Although the construction of adolescence and the age during which someone is considered to be an adolescent may vary from culture to culture, most societies define a certain period of time as 'not childhood' and 'not adulthood.' There are common physiological changes seen in all adolescents such as menstruation in females; lowered voice in males; and increased height and body hair in both genders. Adolescents also begin to experience and experiment with showing sexual desire. However, these changes can cause great anxiety and confusion, as the adolescent struggles with his or her emerging adolescent identity.

Females in particular tend to be more anxious about their body image than boys because of the great emphasis placed upon female beauty within the culture as a measure of self-worth (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman 2010:260).

Stuck Writing Your "Adolescent Self-Portrait" Essay?

View All Our Example Adolescent Self-Portrait Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

Girls tend to mature earlier than boys and very early-maturing girls often experience particularly traumatic feelings about changes in their bodies (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman 2010: 261). A common feeling amongst adolescents is that their body and mental state are not the same: they feel part child and part adult all at once, and this can be exacerbated by early maturity.

Adolescents are often said to be very impulsive and exhibit risk-taking behaviors such as engaging in substance abuse and early sexual activity. This may be partially due to the hormonal changes during this period of time and the underdeveloped areas of the brain which relate to judgment and foresight. Adolescents may feel like adults and judge themselves to be far more capable and mature than they really are in terms of perceiving risk (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman 2010: 262).

On a social….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Adolescent Self-Portrait" (2013, October 20) Retrieved May 8, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/adolescent-self-portrait-125139

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Adolescent Self-Portrait" 20 October 2013. Web.8 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/adolescent-self-portrait-125139>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Adolescent Self-Portrait", 20 October 2013, Accessed.8 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/adolescent-self-portrait-125139
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example