Adolescence is a time of turmoil, confusion and uncertainty, but it’s through this process that we arrive at adulthood. The purpose of adolescence is the establishment of personal identity. In order to achieve this, a child separates from their early ties to their parents and achieves a position outside of the family. This occurs gradually by establishing a position within a peer group before moving forward within intimate relationships.
This is a natural process that many adolescents are ready and keen to accomplish. However some may also find it daunting and overwhelming. Difficulty in working through this developmental stage can be due to a multitude of factors, most commonly the adolescent’s personality and the ability to cope. Other influences can range from their experiences in early childhood, environmental stresses and current social conditions.