Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

398 CHAPTER 9 Lifespan DevelopmentEffects of Early Versus Late Maturation Asany adult who remembers seventh-gradegym class can attest, the timing of pubertyvaries widely. Early maturation can havedifferent effects for boys and girls. Earlymaturingboys tend to be successful inathletics and popular with their peers,but they are more susceptible to riskybehaviors, such as drug, alcohol, or steroiduse (McCabe & Ricciardelli, 2004). Earlymaturinggirls tend to have more negativefeelings about the arrival of puberty andbody changes, have higher rates of teen -age pregnancy, and may be embarrassedor harassed by unwanted attention fromolder males (Ge & others, 2003; Adair &Gordon-Larsen, 2001).Social DevelopmentThe changes in adolescents’ bodies are accompanied by changes in their socialinteractions, most notably with parents and peers. Contrary to what many peoplethink, parent–adolescent relationships are generally positive. In fact, most teenagersreport that they admire their parents and turn to them for advice (Steinberg, 1990,2001). As a general rule, when parent–child relationships have been good beforeadolescence, they continue to be relatively smooth during adolescence. Nevertheless,some friction seems to be inevitable as children make the transition to adolescence.Although parents remain influential throughout adolescence, relationships withfriends and peers become increasingly important. Adolescents usually encountergreater diversity among their peers as they make the transitions to middle schooland high school. To a much greater degree than during childhood, the adolescent’ssocial network, social context, and community influence his or her values, norms,and expectations (Steinberg & others, 1995).Parents often worry that peer influences will lead to undesirable behavior.Researchers have found, however, that peer relationships tend to reinforce the traitsand goals that parents fostered during childhood (Steinberg, 2001). This finding isnot as surprising as it might seem. Adolescents tend to form friendships with peerswho are similar in age, social class, race, and beliefs about drinking, dating, churchattendance, and educational goals.Friends often exert pressure on one another to study, make good grades, attendcollege, and engage in prosocial behaviors. So, although peer influence can lead toundesirable behaviors in some instances, peers can also influence one another inpositive ways (Berndt, 1992; Mounts & Steinberg, 1995).Romantic and sexual relationships also become increasingly important throughoutthe adolescent years. During early and middle adolescence, the physical changesof puberty prime the adolescent’s interest in sexuality. One national survey showedZITSidentityA person’s definition or description of himselfor herself, including the values, beliefs,and ideals that guide the individual’sbehavior.Zits cartoon, © Zits Partnership. Reprinted with specialpermission of King Features Syndicate.