Author: Santosh Kumar Biswa, Sr. Teacher, Damphu CS, Tsirang, Bhutan
Introduction
During adolescence,
individuals undergo significant physical, socio-emotional, and psychological
changes, making adolescence a crucial developmental period. Educators need to
comprehend these changes to effectively support young people and facilitate
their academic progress. This article will discuss a few issues that
adolescents may face during puberty, analyze their potential impact on physical
health, psychological adjustment, and academic achievement, and provide
recommendations for educators to address these changes and foster healthy
development and academic performance.
Body Image and Appearance
During puberty,
adolescents may face challenges with body image and appearance, which can
adversely affect their psychological well-being and academic success. Graber et
al. (2004) found that body dissatisfaction is a common issue that adolescents
encounter during this period. This can lead to negative self-perception and a
distorted body image (de Vries et al., 2011), causing them to engage in harmful
practices such as extreme dieting or substance abuse, which can harm their
physical health. Adolescents with negative body image may also experience
mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, which can
further affect their academic performance. Concerns regarding body image and
appearance can lead to unhealthy behaviours such as disordered eating,
substance abuse, and risky sexual behaviour, according to Dittmar (2009). To
fit into societal standards of beauty, adolescents may adopt unhealthy eating
habits like skipping meals or restricting food intake, leading to malnutrition
and weight loss. Additionally, they may resort to excessive exercise or the use
of steroids to achieve the desired physical appearance, which can result in
injuries and long-term health issues.
Peer Pressure
Adolescents
experiencing peer pressure during puberty can face physical and psychological
challenges. According to Huesschen, Ristuccia, and Penn (2014), peer pressure
can lead to the adoption of unhealthy behaviours such as drug use, alcohol
consumption, and sexual activity, resulting in physical health issues such as
addiction, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancies.
Similarly, Steinberg and Morris (2001) found that peer pressure can result in
psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Furthermore, peer pressure can affect academic achievement. As noted by Andrews
et al. (2011), adolescents who engage in risky behaviour may find it difficult
to concentrate on academics, resulting in underachievement. Additionally, the
pressure to conform to peers' expectations can lead to feelings of exclusion
and decreased motivation to succeed in school.
Stress
During adolescence,
stress can be another issue that adolescents may encounter (Graber et al.,
2004). Adolescents may experience stress related to various factors such as
academic expectations, social pressures, and family demands. The consequences
of this stress can be both physical and psychological. Adolescents may
experience physical health issues such as headaches, fatigue, and sleep
disturbances due to prolonged exposure to stress. Furthermore, stress can lead
to psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The
impact of stress on adolescents' academic achievement can also be negative, as
it can affect their ability to focus, remember information, and perform well on
exams. Stress can significantly affect the psychological adjustment of
adolescents (Graber et al., 2004). The body's stress response system is
activated when exposed to stress, releasing hormones such as cortisol and
adrenaline. These hormones, when released in large amounts over an extended
period, can have adverse effects on mental health, leading to anxiety and depression.
Stress can also cause adolescents to perceive threats in their surroundings and
engage in negative self-talk, further impacting their mental health. Moreover,
stress can adversely affect critical behaviours such as sleep, exercise, and
social support, leading to a series of negative outcomes. It is crucial to
recognize the impact of stress on adolescents and provide them with the
necessary resources and support to help them cope with the challenges they
face.
Educational Implications
Graber et al. (2004)
investigated how pubertal changes might impact education and found that girls
who matured early were more likely to have poorer academic performance, lower
educational attainment, and higher dropout rates compared to those who matured
on time or later. Pubertal issues, such as body image, peer pressure, and
stress, can significantly affect adolescents' academic achievement and social
relationships. Therefore, educators must acknowledge the potential impact of
these issues and take appropriate measures to address them.
To address body image
and mental health issues among adolescents, creating a supportive and inclusive
classroom environment is crucial (Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015). Educators
can promote positive body image by avoiding negative comments about students'
appearances and highlighting the importance of self-acceptance and healthy
lifestyles (Bearman et al., 2006). They can also foster positive social
relationships by creating a classroom environment based on respect and
inclusion (Nesi & Prinstein, 2015). Additionally, educators can provide
students with resources and support to help them cope with peer pressure and
stress.
One way that
educators can address pubertal issues is by teaching stress management
techniques, such as deep breathing and mindfulness, and providing counselling
services for students who may be struggling with mental health problems. They
can also inform students about healthy coping strategies and encourage them to
seek help from trusted adults, such as parents or counsellors when they feel
overwhelmed. For instance, if a student is dealing with body image concerns, an
educator can suggest resources like books or articles on positive body image or
recommend the student talk to a trusted adult about their feelings. In cases where
students face peer pressure to engage in risky behaviours like drug use,
educators can inform them about the risks associated with such behaviours and
help them build a network of supportive friends who share their values (Kulis
et al., 2012). Moreover, educators can collaborate with parents and families to
create a supportive home environment that fosters healthy development and
academic success. They can achieve this by offering resources such as workshops
or informational sessions to help parents support their children's social and
academic growth. Additionally, educators can encourage parents to communicate
regularly with their children and seek assistance if they notice any changes in
the child's behaviour or well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the adolescent
stage is a crucial period where young people undergo significant physical,
socio-emotional, and psychological changes. As educators, it is vital to
recognize the potential effects of pubertal issues on adolescent development
and take proactive and supportive measures to address them. By promoting a
positive body image, encouraging healthy coping strategies, and fostering a
supportive classroom environment, educators can play a significant role in
promoting healthy development and academic success among adolescents.
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