PSYCHOLOGY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 233, 1 October 1929, Page 4

PSYCHOLOGY

PROBLEMS OF ADOLESCENCE NEED FOR SYMPATHETIC UNDERSTANDING. The need for a sympathetic understanding of youth during the difficult period of adolescence, on the part of parents, teachers, and the general community, was stressed by Profesor T. A. Hunter in his W.E.A. lecture to a large audience at the Trades Hall, Wellington, recently. °lf wo are to understand ourselves,” said Professor Hunter, ” especially at theose periods in life in which rapid and fundamental changes occur, we must keep in mind some of the big discoveries of modern thought. The biological concept of man has shown us the close relation to the body and the mind, and we have, now passed through the stage when we regarded man as two separate beings. Tie is an organism in the process of becoming rationalised, and is continually striving against the wide-reaching effects of conflicts and repression. ”In considering the growth and development of the human being it is necessary to realise that man’s physical characteristics, like height and weight, do not increase evenly in all periods of life to maturity. Rather there are periods of rapid growth followed by periods of stability, as if Nature were consolidating its gains. From birth until the age of seven or eight years the child grows rapidly, and then follows a period of relative stability from eight till twelve, before the onset of puberty. The period of puberty is not definitely fixed, but may be roughly said to occur at the ages of thirteen to fifteen for girls, and fourteen to sixteen for boys. The ’period of adolescence culminates at about seventeen or eighteen, but many authorities hold that stabilisation does not occur till twenty-three to twenty-five. ’ ’ The Tenn Adolescence.

“The term adolescence is now commonly adopted for the period between childhood and maturity,” continued Professor Hunter, “during which characteristics, physical, mental and moral changes take place in which the nature of tho individual is at once disclosed and modified. The time and conditions of these changes vary with climate, race, and social surroundings. Will now know that these changes nn? pnysiologically bound up with the operation and balance of the endominal system. It is a well-established Tact mat the thymus is an organ of childnood, that defective development of this gland leads to early sexual development and that at and after puberty its size relatively diminishes. Similarly, the arrenal system is the physical basis of tho fundamental emotions of fear and anger, and the cranial and saceral organs balanced the sympathies. Many of the abnormalities that occur are due to the lack of balance in regard to these glands. In studying the question of adolescence it is important to remember that man is a complex organism whose parts grow at different rates at varying periods. The lecturer explained the physical and physiological changes that take place during the period of puberty and pointed out that many of the minor troubles of adolescents w r ere due to disproportionate development. * ‘lt is now realised,” he continued, “that we cannot separate the body from the mind, and these changes in the physiological processes have mental effects that are very far reaching as they rest on an instinctive emotional basis, that provides new drives to action, changes in the emotional background of experience and gives rise to new outlooks. If care is not taken new abnormalities will arise. » Two Theories “The whole of the changes have been brought under two main theories that some physchologists consider antagonistic, but that may well be supplemented to each other. The theory associated with the name of Stanley Hall asserts that the individual climbs his ancestral tree not only biologically, but also psychologically and socially. This is seen in the initiation rites of the savage, in secluded civilisaton and the prolongation of adolescence and in the ceremonies of the church. Freud’s view is that the adolescent is now facing the conflict arising in connection with sex, due to infantile experiences and repressions which go right back into the past and have been buried in the unconscious mind. With the phy Biological changes they reappear, and adolescence is the period in which these conflicts between primitive values are fought out. Every child goes through these stages or epochs and we can see the manifestations of this action in everyone. Directing Inner Forces u Adolescence is the period of experiment of romance, when the ’mysterious changes within are interpreted in terms of the possibilities of life. The lure of adventure and the lure of the forbidden appeal to the young imagination, and it is very necessary that youth should find an outlet for its needs and cravings in some form of self-expres-sion. Artcrafts and handwork of various kinds, an appreciation of music,

painting and literature all provide ample scope for directing the inner (forces into the right channels and some aesthetic work should be included in the curriculum of all secondary schools. Professor Howard referred to the varying moods and irregularities in the behaviour of th< adolescent and stated that it Was the period of what might seem like startling inconsistencies. Side by side with self-assertiveness was to be found great reserve and sensitiveness, and this was the result of a feeling of insecurity and a knowledge of limitations. In his new-found self-consciousness the youth feared criticism, dreaded ridicule and was ashamed of not seeming like others of his set or class. Part of this mistrust was undoubtedly bred by the humbug that often rushed him into antisocial actions. A Critical Time The real inflection of the self begins at this stage and the adolescent becomes a person. His outstanding general characteristic is one of unstable emotional equilibrium, and he offers great possibilities for good or evil, for development or for abnormality. In the

practical affairs of life the world has hitherto refused to trust youth, but history shows that extraordinary achievement nearly always depends upon youthful initiative and if romance is desired in any department of business—from statesmanship to manufacture —the control of affairs should be placed in the hands of the young. Their vision of what is required is less obscured by the exigencies of the days’ work. ” Professor Hunter concluded his lecture by appealing for a more sympathetic understanding of the adolescent on the part of parents and teachers, who should offer every encouragement to young people to find an outlet for their energies and emotions in artistic selfexpression.