Contemporary Adolescence

Chapter 10Adolescence and their

Families

A brief reminder of Systems Theory

Subsystems Inter-relatedness of the subsystems Homeostasis and morphogenesis

Changes in the system:Parent’s in midlife

Most in midlife perceive:• Decline in:

Energy Health Creativity Physical attractiveness

• But an increase in: Wisdom Competence Psychological health Respect from others

More about parental midlife

People tend to become more flexible in midlife

Contrary to popular culture, most parents handle the “empty nest” just fine

Parents that do undergo a period of life evaluation find their relationship with their adolescents arenegatively affected by it

The Siblings Caregiver relationship Buddy relationship Critical relationship Rival relationship Casual relationship

Parenting: What do adolescents want?

Connection• Interest and help• Listening and empathy• Love• Acceptance and approval

Trust Autonomy

• Enmeshed• Disengaged

Regulation

Regulation: Parenting Styles

Demandingness

High Low

Responsiveness High Authoritative Permissive

Low Authoritarian Disengaged

It is better to have one parent who is authoritative and one who is not that to have two of any other kind

Attachment Style Secure

• Feelings of competency• Get along well with others• Do well in school• High self esteem• Less likely to get in trouble and be

depressed Anxious Avoidant

Conflict Adolescents and parents generally agree

on many of the most important aspects of their views of life

Adolescents typically love and care about their parents

Arguments generally concern minor issues However, conflict with parents does rise

sharply in early adolescence, remains high for several years, and declines in late adolescence

Sources of Conflict Physically, adolescents become

bigger Increased ability to think critically Indirect arguments: Sexual issues Differences in outlook

Emerging adult relationship

Typically, relationships between parents and emerging adults improve

Emerging adults who move out tend to get along better with their parents than those that remain at home