Question

ESSAY DIRECTIONS: Write a full paragraph of at least 5 complete sentences on the following questions.

Why are some adolescents sexually active? Why do so few use contraceptives?

What leads some adolescents to become depressed? How can depression be treated?

Why is adolescent thinking sometimes not as sophisticated as it could be?

How do divorce and remarriage affect children at different ages?

What factors help promote more sophisticated reasoning about moral issues?

What are the hallmarks of effective schools and effective teach

Answer 1

Teenage years are a period of considerable turmoil in terms of transition, emotional and psychological turmoil as well as social pressure. Adolescents at this stage often test limits and explore new identities since they deal with some challenging issues unique to the adolescent period.

Adolescent sexuality is a stage of human development during which adolescents experience and explore sexual feelings. Sexuality, that is the expression of interest, orientation, and preference, is a normal part of adolescence. Adolescent sexuality includes multiple factors, such as developing intimate partnerships, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Puberty marks physical development in early to middle adolescence and is seen as the time for potential onset of sexual thoughts and experimentation. Homosexual and heterosexual experimentation is common in early adolescence. Attraction occurs and can precede to first romance or first sexual experience. A hallmark event of puberty is an increase in the release of gonadal hormones that is testosterone released from the testes in males and estrogens and progesterone released by the ovaries and uterus of females. This contributes to the development of secondary sexual characteristics in both male and female. These hormones affect teenagers' moods, emotions, and impulses as well as their body. They also affect the way they think about dating and sex. Peer pressure as well as risk-taking behavior make some adolescents engage in behaviors that could cause serious consequences. Neurological studies of the adolescent brain show that the area of the brain that's responsible for judgement and decision making is still underdeveloped. The amygdala, the part of the brain that controls impulses and emotions, is still maturing in adolescence, increasing the urge to take risks. These are the reasons as to why some adolescents are sexually active.

The use of contraceptives during adolescence is important to prevent unwanted pregnancies as well as to ensure that adolescents do not suffer poor reproductive and sexual outcomes. However, the consistent use of contraceptives remains a challenge for most adolescents. Perceived obstacles to obtaining contraception lead them to experience negative outcomes related to sexual activity. Apart from this, race, ethnicity, age, education, income have all been demonstrated to affect contraceptive choice. Factors that contribute to lack of contraceptive use or inconsistent use include issues related to adolescent development, such as reluctance to acknowledge one's sexual activity, belief that one is immune from the problems or consequences surrounding sexual intercourse or pregnancy, and denial of possibility of pregnancy. Adolescents may not use or may delay the use of contraception for several reasons including lack of parental monitoring, fear that their parents may find out, ambivalence, and the perception that birth control is dangerous or causes unwanted adverse effects such as weight gain.

Adolescent depression is a common but serious mood disorder. Depression in adolescence significantly impairs normal psychosocial development. Unrealistic academic, social, or family expectations can create a strong sense of rejection and can lead to deep disappointment. Risk factors also include a family history of depression. Apart from this, the normal process of maturing and the stress that occurs with it as well as the influence of sex hormones further may contribute to depression. The following events or situations can also cause depression:

- stressful life events, such as loss of a parent to death or divorce.

- poor parenting or caregiving

- a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend

- bullying or harrassment at school or elsewhere

- long-term illness

- learning disabilities

Adolescent-onset depression tends to be a malignant condition, increasing the likelihood of recurrence in adulthood. Clinical presentations for various medical and psychiatric conditions, as well as reaction to psychosocial stressors, can mimic or confound the picture of depression in adolescents. Hence careful assessment and differential diagnosis is necessary. Treatment options include: supportive care from medical provider, talk therapy and antidepressant medications. Talk therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy where the affected are taught ways to fight negative thoughts and be more aware of their symptoms. Family therapy may be effective if family conflict is contributing to the depression. Support from family or teachers may help with school problems. Joining support groups where people are experiencing similar problems may help in dealing with the problem.

Adolescent thinking involves the last two Piagetian stages of cognitive development and the transition from concrete operations to formal operations, focussing on the adolescents' ability to make judgements and the extent to which adolescent judgement is guided by possibilities other than those given. Egocentric is a characteristic of adolescent thinking. The two major forms of egocentrism during the teenage years have been referred to as the imaginary audience and the personal fable, both result from the adolescent's failure to distinguish his or her thought processes from those of other people. Imaginary audience is the belief that what is of interest to oneself is of interest to others as well whereas personal fable is the belief that one is unique and that no one else could possibly share or understand one's thoughts and feelings. Another thought process is the illusion of invulnerability that is the belief that bad things only happen to other people. Full maturation of the prefrontal cortex is not complete until sometime between adolescence and early adulthood. This part of the brain controls planning, decision-making, goal-setting, and metacognition. All the above mentioned factors help explain why adolescent thinking is not as sophisticated as it could be.