FAMILIES AND RELATIONSHIPS

Unit 5 Part I

Chapter 16

Adolescence and Adulthood

Changes During Adolescence• Physical Changes– Adolescence is the time between puberty and full

maturation.– Puberty is the period of human development

during which people become able to reproduce.– Hormones are chemical substances made and

released in one part of the body that cause a change in another part of the body.

– The main male hormone, testosterone, and the main female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, are released at the start of puberty.

Changes During Adolescence• Mental and Emotional Changes–A New Way of Thinking : As adolescence

progresses, teens are able to think in a more complex way. They can foresee consequences, make more logical decisions, and view situations from other points of view.–A New Way of Feeling: New feelings that

arise during adolescence may cause teens to feel alone, insecure, and confused.

Changes During Adolescence• Social Changes– As teens grow older, their parents and others

expect more of them.– Relationships with friends change and become

more important during adolescence.– You can take more responsibility at home, in

friendships, and in other parts of life by:• showing concern for how people are doing• listening to others• encouraging others• getting a job

Adulthood• Young Adulthood

– Young adulthood is considered to be the period between ages 21 and 35.

– During young adulthood, physical changes slow down and many people enter a period of peak health.

– Young adults begin to get a clearer sense of their identity. They begin to relate to their parents on a more adult level.

– Young adults learn to value commitment in relationships. They may choose to marry and have a family.

– Young adults become financially independent. This can be scary but also fulfilling.

– Accidents and injuries are the greatest immediate health risks for most young adults.

– Young adults should develop healthy lifestyles to prevent health problems later in life.

Adulthood

• Middle Adulthood– Middle adulthood is considered to be the period between ages 35 and 65.– Physically, muscle tone and strength may diminish during middle

adulthood, but they can be maintained with regular exercise.– Menopause is the period of time when a woman stops ovulating and

menstruating. This typically happens between 50 and 55.– Middle-aged adults begin to accept mortality as they see friends and

loved ones die.– A midlife crisis is the sense of uncertainty about one’s identity that some

people experience in midlife. Middle-aged adults may get through this crisis by accepting their maturation.

– Middle-aged adults may have a strong sense of identity and be leaders at work and in their families.

– Increased responsibilities can sometimes cause stress in middle-aged adults. If they don’t learn to cope with this stress, it can lead to health problems.

– Middle-aged adults must watch their diets and exercise to avoid health risks such as cancer and heart disease. Regular doctor visits are important for preventing and treating health problems.

Adulthood

• Older Adulthood– People over 65 may find that they do not recover

from illness as quickly as when they were younger. – Older adults are generally more emotionally stable

than when younger, but they may also struggle with depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

– Older adults may find that their social and financial lives change significantly after they retire.

– Alzheimer’s disease is a disease in which one gradually loses mental capacity and the ability to carry out daily activities.

Adulthood• Healthy Aging– Establishing regular exercise can help you live

longer and improve quality of life.– Not smoking reduces the risks of heart disease,

cancer, and other diseases.– Not drinking alcohol reduces the risk of death be

car accidents, alcoholism, and liver disease.– Maintaining a healthy weight helps prevent

diabetes later in life.– Lowering salt intake and eating the right number

of Calories for your weight are also important.

Chapter 17

Marriage, Parenthood, and Families

Marriage• Healthy Marriages: Working Together– A marriage is a lifelong union between a husband

and a wife, who develop an intimate relationship.– A healthy marriage requires that both partners

work together to meet each others’ needs.• A healthy marriage also requires:– Love– Commitment– Compromise– Emotional intimacy

Marriage• Engagement: Developing Your Relationships– Emotional maturity is the ability to assess a

relationship or situation and to act according to what is best. This is important in the engagement period.

• During the engagement, couples should discuss:– What are our values and beliefs?– Should we have children?– How will we handle conflict in the family?– Should we both work outside the home?– Where should we live?– What are our economic expectations?

Marriage• Teen Marriages– The stresses of teen marriage include:• independence from parents and family• financial worries• changes in relationships with close friends• possibly delaying education • interaction with in-laws• concern for a spouse’s emotional and physical well-

being• possible parenthood

MarriageDivorce and Remarriage• A divorce is a legal end to a marriage.

– Reasons for divorce include:– abuse or addiction– emotional immaturity– unfaithfulness– communication problems– unfulfilled expectations– different financial habits and goals

• When parents get divorced or remarry, teens often face difficult changes and emotions

• When coping with divorce or remarriage, keep in mind:– Your parents are doing their best to deal with a difficult time. – Don’t take anger out on others. – Deal with your feelings constructively.– Don’t blame yourself.

Parenthood• Responsibilities of Parents– During pregnancy, mothers and fathers must avoid

drinking, smoking, and taking drugs. These can have serious effects on a developing baby.

– Parents must spend lots of time with their children and make sure their emotional needs are met.

– Parents must make sure their children are safe. – Parents must have or earn enough money to make sure

their children’s basic needs are met. – Discipline is the act of teaching a child through correction,

direction, rules, and reinforcement. Proper discipline is important for a child’s maturation.

– As children become teens, parents must adapt to the changes, be supportive, and allow the relationship to grow.

Parenthood

• Effects of Parental Behavior– Children are highly attentive to their parents’

behaviors. The way parents behave shapes the way a child feels about himself or herself and shapes the way he or she interacts with the world.

– Parental behaviors that build self-esteem include:– giving children time, attention, and physical

intimacy– establishing clear rules and limits– listening and communicating with children– praising positive behaviors and good choices

Families

• Family Relationships Are Important– Family relationships influence our emotions and help

shape our character, positively or negatively. – Family relationships teach us how to love and be

loved.– Because families are important, it makes sense to

invest time and energy in your family relationships.• Types of Families– A nuclear family is a mother, a father, and one or

more biological or adopted children living together.– A blended family is the biological mother or father, a

step-parent, and the children of one or both parents.

Families

• Types of Families– A single-parent family is a single father or single

mother and his or her children.– Extended families are the people outside the

nuclear family but related to it.– A foster family is a person or couple not related to

the children that cares for the children temporarily.• Characteristics of Healthy Families– Effective communication– Respect– Commitment– Love

Coping with Family Problems• All families have problems sometimes. These

problems can arise from stresses inside or outside the family.

• More serious family problems may involve abuse.

• Sometimes seeking support outside the immediate family can help you cope with family problems.

• Family counseling involves counseling discussions that are led by a third party to resolve family problems.