Adolescence

As your text notes, adolescence is a time of change as a child grows to young adulthood.  During that time, the adolescent will encounter the physical changes associated with puberty, the cognitive changes that will influence the ways the adolescent thinks about the world, and the social changes when, compared to family members, friends and acquaintances become more important.  Adolescents regularly confront challenges that they have never faced before, such as a first date, a first job, the first driver's license, a first kiss, and for many, their first sexual experience.  These changes carry new risks and new responsibilities with which parents can be a source of assistance and support for the adolescent.

Imagine that you are the parent of an adolescent girl or boy (your choice!).  Imagine further that you must leave him or her for several months during this challenging time in your child's life.  Because your job requires you to travel to a remote country, the only contact your son or daughter will have with you  is a letter which they can read when "times are especially tough" for them.  What advice would you put in this letter?

Discuss your letter with another member of your class.  How much of what you have written has been influenced by events in your adolescence?  Were your parents helpful to you during your times of change?  How were your parents helpful to you during your times of change?