Many children announce the onset of adolescence and their teenage years with a dramatic change in behavior towards their parents and in school. In this stage, teenagers begin to separate from Mom and Dad in an attempt to become more independent. At the same time, teenagers are increasingly aware of how others, especially their teenage peers view them. As a consequence, many teenagers engage in behaviors and display attitudes to adapt as they desperately try to fit in with a click and be accepted.

Teenagers often start experimenting with different looks, identities, behaviors an attitudes and they become acutely aware and sensitive to how they differ from their teenage peers. This often can result in episodes of distress and conflict between parents and teenagers. This is a confusing stage of development where there is social, emotional, physical and sexual changes occurring all at once. There is a healthy way and and unhealthy way for a child to adapt to his/her teenage years. The first step to identifying if your teen is adapting in a healthy way is to become educated on this stage of development.

When Does This Stage Start? 

The answer is as complicated as this stage of development every child is different. There are early bloomers, late bloomers, speedy developers, and slow-but-steady growers. In other words, there's a wide range of what's considered normal in the teenage years.

Parents need to realize it's important to make a (somewhat artificial) distinction between  teenagers, puberty and adolescence. Most of us think of puberty as the development of adult sexual characteristics: breasts, menstrual periods, pubic hair, and facial hair. These are certainly the most visible signs of impending adulthood, but children who are showing physical changes (between the ages of 8 and 14 or so) can also be going through a bunch of changes that aren't readily seen from the outside. These are the changes of adolescence and the teenage years.

According to Erik Erickson the primary goal for this stage of development is to achieve a sense of Identity. During this stage of development which he considered the fifth "psychosocial crisis" (Identity Versus Confusion) which occurs from age 13 to 20. In this stage the teenager learns how to satisfactorily develop a sense of  identity; a sense of who they are. Parents should be aware all teenagers in this stage experiences some type of role identity diffusion regardless of gender. Teenagers at this stage experiment with minor delinquency, rebellion, separation and self doubts.

We Have Broke These Stages Down To Explain Them Further

• Erikson believed that during successful early teenage years, the young teenager develops self-certainty as opposed to self-consciousness and self-doubt.Teenagers tend to experiment with different and  usually constructive roles and behaviors rather than adopting a negative sense of self such as a delinquent.

• Mid Teenage Years anticipates achievement, and achieves, rather than being stagnated by emotions and thoughts of inferiority. Teens that get stuck in this stage by inferiority and emotions may need extra support to successfully resolve this conflict.

• In later adolescence, clear sexual identity, manhood or womanhood is established. Teenagers at this stage seek leadership, seek others to inspire them, and gradually develops a set of ideals which are socially congruent and desirable, in the case of the successful adolescent.

• Erikson believed that, in our culture, adolescence affords a "psychosocial moratorium," particularly for middle - and upper-class American children.  They do not yet have to "play for keeps," but can experiment, trying various roles, and thus hopefully find the one most suitable for them.

For this Teenage stage of development to occur in a successful matter, teens need to detach a bit from their parents; especially the parent whom they're the closest to. This is evident when your a teenager appears to always have different point of view than you. Or the constant hymn of "you don't understand me or anything I do." Parents should be prepared and not personalize the fact of them not wanting to be around you the same way they did before.

As teenagers mature, they start to think more abstractly and rationally. They're forming their moral code. And parents of teens may find that kids who previously had been willing to conform in order to please them may suddenly begin asserting themselves and their opinions strongly by rebelling against parental control.You may need to look closely at how much room you give your teen to be an individual and develop and identity. Parents should ask themselves if they are a judgmental parent or a controlling parent. Parents should be careful to allow their teenagers opinions and tastes to differ from my own. This is a difficult stage for parents and teenagers alike.

One of the common stereotypes of adolescence is the rebellious, wild teen who is continually at odds with his parents. Although that extreme may be the case for some kids and this at a times of emotional ups and downs, that stereotype certainly is not representative of most teenagers for an extended period of time.

Certain amount of change may be normal during the teen years, but too drastic or long-lasting a switch in a child's personality or behavior may signal real trouble - the kind that needs professional help. Watch out for one or more of these warning signs:

• extreme weight gain or loss
• sleep problems
• rapid, drastic changes in personality
• sudden change in friends
• skipping school continually
• falling grades
• talk or even jokes about suicide (is never a joke)
• signs of tobacco, alcohol, or drug use
• run-ins with the law

Any other inappropriate behavior that lasts for more than 6 weeks can be a sign of underlying trouble, too. You may expect a glitch or two in your child's behavior or grades during this time, but your A/B student shouldn't suddenly be failing, and your normally outgoing kid shouldn't suddenly become constantly withdrawn. Your child's doctor or a local counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist can help you find proper counseling.

See Our Page On Teenage Smoking

When this stage hits it is so evident and seems to linger but have no fear as your child continues to progress through these teenage years, you'll notice  they will begin to level out. In the end of this stage of development, you'll have an independent, responsible, young adult with good communication skills. It is very important to pay attention to the child's behavior in this stage. It is a fact that during teen years children are very vulnerable to peer influence. Dads please try and stay informed of whats going on out there in Teen land. Log onto Dictionary for Dads once in a while to make sure you are staying informed.

We hope this information was useful remember to always check with a licensed physician if you suspect any abnormalities with your teenager as stated in our disclaimer we are only providing information that should never be a substitute for professional help.