Effects Of Transition From Childhood To Adulthood

challenged to transition from childhood to adulthood. As Adler describes it, “For most children, adolescence means one thing above all else: he must prove he is no longer a child” (Fall & Berg, 1996, p.433). Adolescent individuals must understand his or her place within society, family, and community while simultaneously seeking independence in task and identity.
Statistics Defining the Population
An at-risk youth is defined as a 12-17 year old adolescent who faces additional adversity while navigating developmental challenges. Specifically, risks facing this population include poor mental or physical health, criminality, lack of financial independence or job readiness due to academic failure; the inability to contribute to society. The daily adversity these children face are complex and dynamic. Traumatic experiences such as coming from an abusive home, may result in removal from the home by child protective services. The stress of living in a family atmosphere without safe, democratic family structure can be exacerbated by

Many adolescents display qualities of social interest (Ballou, 2002) such as self-worth, self-assurance, involvement in community, and encouragement of others. However, the adolescents who display traits of selfish tendencies, including the need to dominate, refusal to cooperate, desire to take not give, greater concern with self than community (Durbin, 2004), will be perceived as socially useless. Roger Ballou discusses this by stating some youth, “become discouraged either because of unfortunate life situations or despite the quality of their upbringing. Some teens become demoralized in their attempt to find their place in life and instead decide to pursue mistaken beliefs” (2002, p.