Adolescence is the period in life between childhood and adulthood. This is a stage in human development that takes place between the ages of 10 and 19. It is characterized by rapid changes towards physical, psychological, and social maturity. This stage entails changes, including the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics; that is, the physical characteristics that differentiate the sexes. Adolescents also establish an adult identity and progressively obtain socio-economic independence.
Although each person develops differently, adolescence has been divided into various stages. Some international organizations propose three: early adolescence, which occurs between the ages of 10 and 13; middle adolescence, between the ages of 14 and 16; and late adolescence, between the ages of 17 and 19. Some organizations propose only two stages: early adolescence from ages 10 to 14, and late adolescence from 15 to 19.
These categories are useful to distinguish the specific characteristics of each development stage in order to determine the access to rights and structure specific safeguarding policies and frameworks. For example, in terms of labour, sexual crimes, or sexual and reproductive health.
Comentario general nro. 20. Sobre la efectividad de los derechos del niño durante la adolescencia (2016). Retrieved 6 July 2020.
Desarrollo en la adolescencia. Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2020). Retrieved 6 July 2020.
Panorama general. UNICEF. (2020). Retrieved 6 July 2020.
Photo credit: Alexandre Laprise