Adolescence as the ‘summer’ of Life

ASRH Orientation for Parents and Teachers

of Aringin Elementary School

August 15, 2015

ZENON RODERICK U. YABIS

Teacher II

Aringin Elementary School

OBJECTIVES OF THE SESSION

At the end of the session, participants are enabled to:•Understand and appreciate the period of adolescence and its accompanying changes.•Understand and appreciate the five Is of adolescence.

AGE DEFINITION OF ADOLESCENTS

Term Age range Source

Children 0-18 years Convention on the Rights of the Child

Adolescent 10-19 UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF

Very young adolescent

10-14 UNFPA, UNICEF

Youth 15-24 UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF

Young people 10-24 UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF

ADOLESCENCE

a period of TRANSITION

from childhood to adulthood that is characterized

by rapid physical, emotional and physiological

changes in both sexes

5

WHAT IS ADOLESCENCE?

• “It is like a bridge that connects childhood to adulthood. It is an exciting phase in human development which is characterized by many physical, emotional and psycho-social changes”. (FAD)

• “It is defined as the period between 10 and 19 years of age. It is a continuum of physical, cognitive, behavioral and psychosocial change that is characterized by increasing levels of individual autonomy, a growing sense of identity and self-esteem and progressive independence from adults”. (UNFPA)

Early adolescence

•10-14 years old•May be physically, cognitively, emotionally, behaviorally closer to children than adults•Just beginning to form their identities•Signs of physical maturation begin to appear- In girls:

pubic and axillary hair, breast budding, menstruation

In boys: penis and testicles grow, facial hair

develops, voice deepensBegin to experiment with sex, substances such as alcohol, tobacco and drugsASRH programs need to tailor strategies and interventions appropriate to their level of maturity, experience and development

Middle adolescence

• 15-16 years old• Begins to develop ideals and select role models• Peers are very important and strongly influenced by

them• Sexual orientation develops progressively• Non heterosexual individuals may begin to

experience internal conflict

Late adolescence

• 17-19 years old• Look and act like adults• But, have not yet reached cognitive, behavioral and

emotional maturity• Make decisions independently• May already be employed• Sexual identities are solidified• May marry and start a family• But, they still need adult role models, family and

social structures to help them complete the transition into adulthood

To better understand this period called ADOLESCENCE, let’s look at the 5Is

•Independence•Identity•Intimacy•Intellect•Integrity

ACTIVITY:

Form groups of 5

Choose any of the 5 Is and describe it through a role play.

You are given 10 minutes to discuss and plan.

Present your role play in 3-5 minutes.

The 5Is of Adolescence

INDEPENDENCE

•Make own decisions

•Power to choose your friends, plan your activities

•You want to be consulted in areas that affect your life

•You want privacy and freedom

•Your focus gradually shifts from parents to peers

•Sometimes, you value the opinion of peers than family

•You develop and express your own opinions and ideas

IDENTITY

• Big questions: Who am I? What do I want to be?• You experiment with dressing, speaking, behaving• You change the spelling of your name, adopt a new

accent, new expressions• You join cause-oriented activities like saving the

environment, nationalism, Teen Health Club• You daydream and image yourself in different roles,

identities and situations• Your interests and likes may change all the time

INTIMACY

• You want to be connected with significant people who can understand and accept you for who you are

• You learn to manage and express your emotions• You learn how to love and be loved• You look for close relationships with your peers• You may not know it but you are preparing yourself

for a loving, stable relationship later on in life

INTEGRITY

• You choose what is right and what is not right to guide your actions and choices

• You look for role models• You begin to question things around you especially

those which you believe are not right

INTELLECT

• You develop the power to think in new and exciting ways. You become smarter.

• You get better at abstract thinking and logical reasoning

• You may tend to over-believe in your theories and ideas to the point of becoming idealistic and impractical

KEY MESSAGES for our target audience

• Adolescence is a CRITICAL period in life. It is a time when you discover who you are and what you can become. Enjoy this period of development in a SAFE and HEALHTY way.

• During adolescence, there are many RISKS and VULNERABILITIES that a young person can encounter. Focus on your dreams and ambitions. Set personal goals in the short and long term. You are your best ‘resource’. You are your best ‘investment’.

• The QUALITY of your health during adolescence will impact on the quality of your health in adulthood when you assume new roles and responsibilities related to work/career/family/parenthood.

KEY MESSAGES for our target audience

•If you are in a RELATIONSHIP:•LEARN TO SAY NO.

“Wait until you are mentally and emotionally prepared to have sex. Do not be pressured by anyone to do so”.•LEARN TO RESPECT YOUR BODY.

“ Do not smoke, drink or do drugs. Let others respect your body too”.•KNOW YOUR LIMITS.

“ Avoid situations that will lead to unintended pregnancy or acquiring STI. The only 100% sure way of not getting pregnant or acquiring STI is by not having sex at all”.

KEY MESSAGES for our target audience

•AVOID SITUATIONS where you will be meeting strangers like eyeballing, chatting with strangers through the computer or testing.

•APPROACH a trusted adult for help such as your guidance counselor, school clinician, teacher etc.

There are laws protecting Pinot Adolescents

The Philippines has existing laws that promote/safeguard adolescent sexuality and

reproductive healthRA 8504: The Philippines AIDS Prevention &

Control Act of 1998

RA 7877: The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995

The Family Welfare Program of DOLE

RA 9710: The Manga Carta on Women

RA 10354: Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012

Thank you and enjoy the ‘summer’ of your life.