Older+Teens+Development

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=Older Teens Development (16-19)=

The ages I chose here (16-19) also do not completely encompass older teens' development, but they do provide a general overview of the typical stages of development at these ages. Many of the items listed here appear in multiple sources. These are listed under the Website portion of the Adolescent Development Resources wiki page.

Physical Development

 * Girls complete physical growth during this period (Usually by age 16)
 * Boys often continue to grow into their twenties

Cognitive and Intellectual Development

 * The frontal lobe continues to develop more fully (NSW, 2011).
 * Older teens begin to be able to think through decisions more easily and are somewhat less impulsive
 * Problem solving skills become more developed
 * At these ages, teens have a greater capacity for abstract thought
 * Teens often have a greater focus on the future (work or college)
 * Moral reasoning abilities increase

Emotional and Social Development

 * Teens will continue to engage in riskier behavior at the beginning of this stage as their frontal lobe continues to develop but will become less impulsive over time (NSW, 2011).
 * Many teens will struggle with their sense of identity.Some teens develop their concept of identity during these years while others continue to question it into their twenties
 * The ability to be independent and self-reliant increases
 * At these ages, teens are able to become more concerned for others rather than self
 * Romantic relationships tend to have importance and be more serious
 * Relationships with parents begin to be more stable, though teens at these ages continue to distance themselves from their parents as well as question and challenge rules
 * Ability to delay gratification increases
 * Work habits become more defined
 * Older teens become better at making their own decisions and resisting peer pressure
 * Cliques and social groups become less important. Teens try to make close friends based on interests and shared experiences (Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 2001).