Peaceful Minds Counselling | Behaviour Management Revesby

Future Interests and Cognitive Changes

Mostly interested in present, with limited thoughts of the future
Intellectual interests expand and gain in importance
Greater ability to do work (physical, mental, emotional)

Sexuality

Display shyness, blushing, and modesty
Girls develop physically sooner than boys
Increased interest in sex
Movement toward heterosexuality with fears of homosexuality
Concerns regarding physical and sexual attractiveness to others
Frequently changing relationships
Worries about being normal

Morals, Values, and Self-Direction

Rule and limit testing
Capacity for abstract thought
Development of ideals and selection of role models
More consistent evidence of conscience
Experimentation with sex and drugs (cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana)

Young teenagers do vary slightly from the above descriptions, but the feelings and behaviors are, in general, considered normal for each stage of adolescence. (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Normal Adolescent Development Part 1.).