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'''Adolescence''' (from [[Latin]]: adolescere [[meaning]] "to grow up")  is a [[transitional]] [[stage]] of [[physical]] and [[mental]] [[human]] [[development]] generally occurring between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puberty puberty] and legal adulthood (age of majority), but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage. According to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Erikson Erik Erikson]'s [[stages]] of [[human]] [[development]], for example, a [[Youth|young adult]] is generally a [[person]] between the ages of 20 and 40, whereas an adolescent is a [[person]] between the ages of 13 and 19. Historically, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puberty puberty] has been heavily associated with teenagers and the onset of adolescent development. However, the start of puberty has had somewhat of an increase in preadolescence (particularly [[females]], as seen with early and precocious puberty), and adolescence has had an occasional extension beyond the teenage years (typically [[males]]) compared to previous [[generations]]. These changes have made it more [[difficult]] to rigidly define the time frame in which adolescence occurs.

'''Adolescence''' (from [[Latin]]: adolescere [[meaning]] "to grow up")  is a [[transitional]] [[stage]] of [[physical]] and [[mental]] [[human]] [[development]] generally occurring between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puberty puberty] and legal adulthood (age of majority), but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage. According to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Erikson Erik Erikson]'s [[stages]] of [[human]] [[development]], for example, a [[Youth|young adult]] is generally a [[person]] between the ages of 20 and 40, whereas an adolescent is a [[person]] between the ages of 13 and 19. Historically, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puberty puberty] has been heavily associated with teenagers and the onset of adolescent development. However, the start of puberty has had somewhat of an increase in preadolescence (particularly [[females]], as seen with early and precocious puberty), and adolescence has had an occasional extension beyond the teenage years (typically [[males]]) compared to previous [[generations]]. These changes have made it more [[difficult]] to rigidly define the time frame in which adolescence occurs.

The end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood varies by country and by [[function]], and furthermore even within a single [[nation]]-state or [[culture]] there can be [[different]] ages at which an [[individual]] is considered to be (chronologically and legally) [[mature]] enough to be entrusted by [[society]] with certain tasks. Such milestones include, but are not limited to, driving a vehicle, having [[legal]] [[sexual]] relations, serving in the [[Military|armed forces]] or on a [[jury]], purchasing and drinking [[alcohol]], [[voting]], entering into contracts, completing certain levels of [[education]], and [[Marriage|marrying]].

The end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood varies by country and by [[function]], and furthermore even within a single [[nation]]-state or [[culture]] there can be [[different]] ages at which an [[individual]] is considered to be (chronologically and legally) [[mature]] enough to be entrusted by [[society]] with certain tasks. Such milestones include, but are not limited to, driving a vehicle, having [[legal]] [[sexual]] relations, serving in the [[Military|armed forces]] or on a [[jury]], purchasing and drinking [[Liquor|alcohol]], [[voting]], entering into contracts, completing certain levels of [[education]], and [[Marriage|marrying]].

Adolescence is usually accompanied by an increased [[independence]] allowed by the [[parents]] or legal guardians and less supervision, contrary to the preadolescence stage.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence]

Adolescence is usually accompanied by an increased [[independence]] allowed by the [[parents]] or legal guardians and less supervision, contrary to the preadolescence stage.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence]

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Psychology]]