Basic 6 · Our World and Our People · Myself
Problems Associated with Adolescence
In this topic you will explain the common problems that adolescents face and their causes.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Identify physical, emotional and social problems of adolescence
- Explain the causes of these problems
- Describe the effects of risky behaviours
What you already know
- Changes during adolescence (Basic 5)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- All About Us
- Sub-strand
- Myself
- Indicator
- B6.1.2.1.1 – Explain problems associated with adolescence
Introduction
Adolescence is an exciting time of growth, but it can also bring problems. Knowing these problems helps young people avoid them or seek help early.
1. Physical Problems
| Problem | Cause or description |
|---|---|
| acne (pimples) | oily skin due to hormones |
| body odour | more sweating during puberty |
| menstrual pain | cramps during periods |
| poor diet and weight problems | skipping meals or eating junk food |
| lack of sleep | late nights on phones or television |
2. Emotional Problems
| Problem | Description |
|---|---|
| mood swings | quick changes in feelings |
| low self-esteem | feeling not good enough, often about body changes |
| anxiety and stress | worry about school, family or appearance |
| loneliness | feeling misunderstood |
3. Social Problems and Risky Behaviours
| Problem | Possible effects |
|---|---|
| negative peer pressure | truancy, fighting, crime |
| drug and alcohol abuse | addiction, mental illness, poor school work |
| teenage pregnancy | school dropout, health risks for mother and baby, poverty |
| sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV | illness, infertility, death |
| conflicts with parents | unhappiness at home |
| internet and social media dangers | cyberbullying, contact with harmful strangers, addiction |
| school dropout | fewer job opportunities |
4. Causes of Adolescent Problems
- Rapid body and hormone changes.
- Curiosity and the desire to experiment.
- Pressure from friends and the media.
- Lack of correct information about the body and sex.
- Poverty and lack of parental care.
- Poor communication between parents and children.
Problems are not a sign that someone is bad. Many adolescents face them. What matters is recognising the problem and getting help early.
Adolescents should also remember that most problems are temporary. Pimples clear, moods settle and conflicts with parents can be resolved through calm discussion. However, some choices, such as early sex or drug use, can have consequences that last a lifetime, so they must be avoided.
Parents and schools can reduce these problems by giving correct information, listening without anger and providing safe activities for young people.
New words
- adolescence
- The stage between childhood and adulthood.
- self-esteem
- How a person values themselves.
- truancy
- Staying away from school without permission.
- STI
- Sexually transmitted infection.
- cyberbullying
- Bullying through phones or the internet.
- risky behaviour
- Actions that can cause harm.
Summary
- Adolescents may face physical, emotional and social problems.
- Risky behaviours include drug use and early sex.
- Causes include hormones, curiosity, peer pressure and lack of information.
- Recognising problems early helps adolescents get help.
Class activity: Problem Tree
- Draw a tree: roots are causes, trunk is a problem (e.g. teenage pregnancy), branches are effects.
- Fill it in with your group.
- Present your tree to the class.
You need: Hand mirror, Printed photographs of Ghanaian children, Adolescents, Manila paper
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Pimples during adolescence are called…
- A. acne
- B. malaria
- C. measles
- D. cramps
Show answer
Answer: acneCaused by oily skin.2. Which is an effect of teenage pregnancy?
- A. Dropping out of school
- B. Better grades
- C. More free time
- D. Less responsibility
Show answer
Answer: Dropping out of schoolCommon result.3. Bullying through phones or the internet is…
- A. cyberbullying
- B. truancy
- C. abstinence
- D. hygiene
Show answer
Answer: cyberbullyingOnline bullying.4. Peer pressure can lead to risky behaviour.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueFriends influence choices.5. Only bad children face adolescent problems.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseMany adolescents face them.6. How a person values themselves is their self-______.
Show answer
Answer: esteemSelf-esteem.7. State three social problems of adolescence.
Show answer
Answer: Drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, cyberbullying (or truancy, STIs).Any three.8. Explain how lack of correct information can lead to problems in adolescence.
Show answer
Answer: Adolescents may make wrong choices about their bodies, sex or drugs because they believe myths or rumours.Information matters.
Homework
- Write about one problem adolescents in your community face and its causes.