ADOLESCENCE AS THE

‘SUMMER’ OF LIFE
COMILLAS HIGHSCHOOL
July 5, 2023
 WHY
SUMMER?
OBJECTIVES OF THE SESSION
At the end of the session, participants are able to:
• Understand and appreciate the period of adolescence, its
accompanying changes and its importance in human
development.
• Become aware of the risks and vulnerabilities faced by
teenagers.
• Learn key messages about teen pregnancy prevention.
Education profile of Region III youth
PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF YOUTH BY HIGHEST EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

10.0%
No Schooling/
Elementary
21.9%
College +

27.6%
8.0% HS Undergrad
Vocational

32.6%
HS graduate

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

 ADOLESCENCE

a period of TRANSITION
from childhood to adulthood that is
characterized by rapid physical, emotional and
physiological changes in both sexes

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

AGE DEFINITION OF ADOLESCENTS
Term Age range Source
Children 0-18 years Convention on
the Rights of
the Child

Adolescent 10-19 UNFPA, WHO,

Unicef
Very young 10-14 UNFPA, Unicef
adolescent
Youth 15-24 UNFPA, WHO,
Unicef
Young people 10-24 UNFPA, WHO,
Unicef

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

WHAT IS ADOLESCENCE?
• “It is like a bridge that connects childhood to adulthood. It is an exciting phase in
human development which is characterized by many physical, emotional and psycho-
social changes”. (FAD)
• “It is defined as the period between 10 and 19 years of age. It is a continuum of
physical, cognitive, behavioral and psychosocial change that is characterized by
increasing levels of individual autonomy, a growing sense of identity and self-esteem
and progressive independence from adults”. (UNFPA)

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023
Early adolescence
• 10-14 years old
• May be physically, cognitively, emotionally, behaviorally closer to
children than adults
• Just beginning to form their identities
• Signs of physical maturation begin to appear- In girls:
pubic and axillary hair, breast budding, menstruation
In boys: penis and testicles grow, facial hair
develops, voice deepens
 Begin to experiment with sex, substances such as alcohol,
tobacco and drugs

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

Middle adolescence
• 15-16 years old
• Begins to develop ideals and select role models
• Peers are very important and strongly influenced by them
• Sexual orientation develops progressively
• Non-heterosexual individuals may begin to experience internal conflict

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

Late adolescence
• 17-19 years old
• Look and act like adults
• But have not yet reached cognitive, behavioral and emotional maturity
• Make decisions independently
• May already be employed
• Sexual identities are solidified
• May marry and start a family

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

 To better understand this period called
ADOLESCENCE, let’s look at the 5 Is

• Independence
• Identity
• Intimacy
• Intellect
• Integrity
LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023
INDEPENDENCE
• Make own decisions
• Power to choose your friends, plan your activities
• You want to be consulted in areas that affect your life
• You want privacy and freedom
• Your focus gradually shifts from parents to peers
• Sometimes, you value the opinion of peers than family
• You develop and express your own opinions and ideas

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

 Adolescents want to be FREE
F-ocus shifts from family to friends
R-equire physical and psychological space
and privacy
E-xpress opinions and differing ideas
E-xpect to be consulted
IDENTITY
• Big questions: Who am I? What do I want to be?
• You experiment with dressing, speaking, behaving
• You change the spelling of your name, adopt a new
accent, new expressions
• You join cause-oriented activities like saving the
environment, nationalism, Teen Health Club
• You daydream and imagine yourself in different
roles, identities and situations
• Your interests and likes may change all the time

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

INTIMACY
• You want to be connected with significant
people who can understand and accept you
for who you are
• You learn to manage and express your
emotions
• You learn how to love and be loved
• You look for close relationships with your
peers
• You may not know it but you are preparing
yourself for a loving, stable relationship later
on in life
LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023
INTEGRITY
• You choose what is right and what
is not right to guide your actions
and choices
• You look for role models
• You begin to question things
around you especially those which
you believe are not right

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

INTELLECT
• You develop the power to think in new
and exciting ways. You become smarter.
• You get better at abstract thinking and
logical reasoning
• You may tend to over-believe in your
theories and ideas to the point of
becoming idealistic and impractical

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

 What does the number
say about Teen
Pregnancy in the
Province of Tarlac?
LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023
LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023
 E.R.A.S.E.
teen pregnancy
LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023
 Empower yourself with
accurate information

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

Be informed so you can make the right decisions
• Talk to parents, trusted adults, health providers
• Use reliable websites

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

‘STROKE OF THUMB GENERATION’
• 8 in 10 young people have cellular phones
• 6 in 10 young people are regular internet users
• More than half have social network (FB, Twitter and email
account)
• 6 hours/week- average time spent online
• Source: YAFS 2013
SEX AND MEDIA
• 1 in 4 Pinoy youth has sent or received sex videos through
mobile phone or internet
• 1 in 100 has recorded himself/herself having sex
• 4 in 100 had sex with someone they met online or through
text messages
• 6 in 100 have engaged in phone sex
• Source: YAFS 2013
Pornography is dehumanizing

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

 Respectful relationships
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 Do NOT pressure your partner
GET OUT of unhealthy
relationships!

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023
 RESIST Pressure
Don’t let anyone
RESIST dictate your life

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

 be SAFE from pregnancy and STI
protect yourself and your partner

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

 EDUCATION:
Finish School

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

E.R.A.S.E. teen pregnancy

• EMPOWER yourself with information

• have RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS
• ABSTAIN from sex (resist pressure)
• Be SAFE from pregnancy and STI

• Finish your EDUCATION

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023

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LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023
LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023
 Adolescence
is the summer of your life !

LuzonHealth Project 07/10/2023