What is the definition of adolescence? We can define it as the transition from childhood to adulthood where it occurs between 12 years old to 21 years old for girls, and from 13 years old to 22 years old for boys.
Psychologists define adolescence as a transition period from early childhood to adulthood. Someone is called in adolescence if there are rapid physical changes, weight and height gain, changes in body shape, and the development of sexual characteristics.
Y. Singgih D. Gunarso (1989: 7) described that adolescence is physical changes which is preceded by sexual maturity.
Do you want to know more about adolescence? Here is the explanation about it according to various sources.
Definition of Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile delinquency is defined as an act that violates the rule of law or norms in society that is committed at a young age.
There are a number of factors of this action such as frustration, lack of parental or family affection, broken home family, environmental influences and lack of religious foundations.
Until now, there are a lot of juvenile delinquency types and here are some of them.
- Brawl
- Drug Abuse
- Wild race
- Theft
Juvenile delinquency must be stopped because it is harmful and makes people worried. So, how do we have to stop it?
- Teaching basic values and developing children’s attitude
- Involving children actively in learning
- Developing children’s potential and talents according to their abilities
- Building good relationship with children
- Becoming supportive parents and always be there for your children
Definitions of Adolescence According to Experts
1. Zakiah Darajat (1982)
Adolescence is a bridging period between the ages of children and adults.
2. Santrock
Adolescence is defined as a transitional developmental period between childhood and adulthood that includes biological, cognitive, and emotional changes.
3. Monks etc, (1989)
Adolescence is “finding identity” phase or “hurricane and storm” phase.
4. Elizabeth B. Hurlock (1999)
She defined adolescence as a period of transition from children to adults which includes mental, emotional, social and physical maturity.
5. Soetjiningsih (2004)
The definition of adolescence is a transition period between childhood and adulthood, which begins when sexual maturity occurs, namely at the age of 11 or 12 years to 20 years.
Definition of Adolescence According to WHO
According to WHO, adolescents are residents in the age range of 10 to 19 years. In 1974, WHO defined adolescents in a more conceptual definition where it includes three criteria namely, biological, psychological, and socio-economic.
So, WHO sets the age limitation of adolescents to range from 10 to 20 years, and divides this age period into two parts, namely early adolescents 10 to 14 years, and late adolescents 15 to 20 years.
Physical development and psychological changes are also the signs of adolescence. The point is that an adolescent is someone who starts to learn to be responsible to herself or himself, family, environment and starts to realize that she or he is not a child anymore.
