Adolescent Case Study

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Transitioning between childhood and adulthood is the adolescence span. This span is altered by the social environment and is produced by social, genetic and psychological issues (Berk, 2010). The adolescence period includes several transitions such puberty, physical growth and social behavior. These transitions each hold the potential to affect the physical development of adolescents. A case study of a female adolescent is offered; the aim of this study is to examine the effects of physical development on adolescents, in respect to character/physical development, sexuality, relationships, self-concept and culture factors. A female adolescent, Khadijah, was born to Latisha and Daniel. Latisha is an African American and Daniel is Korean. Latisha …show more content…

Per Berk, 2012 American cultured teenagers are confused concerning the appropriateness of sex, due to inconsistent and perplexing communications. Many American parents are not open to discussing sex with their teenagers, in return this leave teenagers leaning upon the media and peers to gain knowledge about sex. This method of learning about sex is so broad that in often lead to a misunderstood or misrepresented information regarding the appropriateness of sex. Parents are the first source, when they use effective communication practices such as listening, asking unrestricted questions and providing sympathetic responses teen will become receptive to parent’s knowledge and advice. Balkin, Perepiczka, Whitely, & Kimbrough, 2009 advocate that sexual attitudes are influenced by parent-child relationships. In Kadijah’s case, one parent was distant and uninvolved, while the other parent was dominating and lecturing. This lead Kadijah to shy away from communicating with parents and embracing communication with peers. Since Kadijah is easily persuaded, male adolescents could use communication to influence her in sexual activity. Sexual values and sexual activity is linked to peer influence (Balkin, Perepiczka, Whitely, & Kimbrough, 2009). Sexual activity can lead to pregnancy. Adolescent pregnancy can affect physical development through inadequate diets (Berk, 2010). During pregnancy, twice as much nutrient is necessary for the physical development of both mother and

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