ABSTRACT
The term adolescence is derived from theLatin verbmeaning “to grow tomaturity” (Branwhite, 2000).Conceptually, this encompasses biologicalmaturation aswell as cognitive andpsychosocial changes. Historically, the cognitive and psychosocial changes have been greatly influenced by the social context of the times. Before the Industrial Revolutions in the United States and Europe, adolescence was mainly perceived as the biological changes associated with puberty, therefore being of short duration; this is still the prominent view in agrarian cultures today. However, since the 1900s, technological societies have been redefining adolescence. Not only is puberty beginning at an earlier age as a result of better health care and nutrition (Petersen & Leffert, 1995), but the social framework of modern society requires that adolescence be a time that defines the gap between sexual maturity and adulthood. In this rather large gap, preparation to accept adult responsibilities takes place (Thompson, 1999).
