CHAPTER 2

Growing up — the
challenges ahead

Getting help from others can help you manage your feelings in a positive way.

MAJOR OUTCOME SKILL OUTCOMES

On completion of this chapter, you will be able to do The skillboosters and questions in this chapter will
the following. help you to do the following.
4.2 4.11 COMMUNICATING
Identify and select strategies that enhance your Select and use communication skills and strategies
ability to cope and feel supported. clearly and coherently in a range of new and
challenging situations.
CONTRIBUTING OUTCOMES 4.12 DECISION MAKING
This chapter will also help you to do the following. Assess risk and social influences, and reflect on
personal experiences to make informed decisions.
4.1
4.13 INTERACTING
Describe and analyse the influences on a sense of
self. Demonstrate cooperation with, and support of,
others in social, recreational and other group
4.2
contexts.
Describe the qualities of positive relationships and
4.15 PLANNING
strategies to address the abuse of power.
Devise, apply and monitor plans to achieve
short- and long-term goals.
4.16 PROBLEM SOLVING
Clarify the source and nature of problems, and draw
on personal skills and support networks to resolve
them.
 2.1 ◗ The changes and challenges of
adolescence
The process of physical, emotional and social change that we experience
during adolescence brings with it many challenges. Think about people’s
expectations of you now that you are in high school compared with
when you were a child in primary school — are they different? The
answer is most certainly yes — your parents, family and teachers will be
expecting more from you. They will expect you
to behave in a more mature way, to be more
responsible, to help out more at home and
to study more and achieve at school.
These are just some of the changes that
you will experience as you grow older.
Learning how to respond to and cope with
challenges in a positive way is important.
Adolescence is like an apprenticeship —
it is the time when you learn how to be an
adult. This learning process will involve
new situations and challenges that you
have not previously experienced. Dealing
with these changes is part of the appren-
ticeship, and learning to make good
decisions and knowing where to find
support will help you cope with
the challenges ahead. Here are
some examples of the changes
and challenges that most young
people face during adolescence:
• dealing with the physical
changes that are happening to
their bodies during puberty
• managing the heightened emo-
tions that young people experience
during puberty
• going to a new school
FIGURE 2.1 The changes and • making new friends and trying to
challenges of adolescence
fit into a peer group
• studying even more and being under pressure to achieve the School
Certificate and Higher School Certificate
• having more responsibility at home, such as doing more chores,
looking after younger brothers or sisters
• making decisions about future study and work
• dealing with negative peer pressure
• experiencing relationship breakdown
• experiencing conflict with their parents.
For some young people, the challenges can be even greater, such as:
• caring for a sick parent or family member
• becoming a young parent

CHAPTER 2: GROWING UP — THE CHALLENGES AHEAD 23