Middle Childhood

Middle Childhood and Adolescence
PS/280
January 11, 2011

Middle Childhood and Adolescence
Introduction

Parents who are firm and less critical helped their children shape their unique self confidence from middle childhood to adulthood. If asked what was the best yeas in your life span you may consider those times when you were mischievous in your childhood days. It may even take you back to the adolescent days when you were in junior high and you thought that you had all friends and was in the best groups in school. These are just some of the areas that you may consider. In this paper we will review the time between middle childhood to adolescence touching on the effects of functional and dysfunctional family dynamics on development look at the positive and negative impact of peers and changes in peer relations from middle childhood to adolescence. Examine additional pressures faced in adolescence compared to middle childhood and discuss the development of moral values from middle childhood into adolescence.

Functional and Dysfunction

In my evaluation of the effect of a functional and dysfunctional family dynamics and development it is recognized the effects family and chosen role models have is fundamental to individual development. Dysfunctional or psychologically unhealthy families inherit or develop negative roles or defense mechanisms where people are trapped in. These are demonstrated at times when under pressure or a crisis situation where our defense mechanisms become effective. At the same time functional or healthy families that foster positive development where trust, love and honest, open relationships thrive. Dysfunctional families produce insecurities and normal development may not happen and at times be stopped. Members of the family commonly one or more will have some problem that affects the rest of the family. Things like abuse, neglect, alcohol are some of the disorders. In most families there are some that are healthy people that compensate for the falling of the people around them and make their lives better or functional.

Peer Relations

The positive and negative impact of peers and changes in peer relations from middle childhood to adolescence has an influence on children. Attention has focused considerably on peer relationships and friendships from childhood and adolescence. Experiences with children’s peers are critical in the development of adaptive and adaptive behaviors throughout child hood and adolescence. Disturbances in peer relationships are common reasons for referrals to children’s mental health clinics (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1981). Because of the developmental impact of the children, peer difficulties are assessed and addressed the more opportunity there is to set troubled children on the right track. The different tests approaches give different results on the children’s peer relations and sociability. In their early adolescence, children will be reluctance to be observed, especially in school room settings. Several researchers have relied on structured laboratory tasks for observing adolescents (e.g. Connolly & McNelles, 1995; Dishion, Andrews, & Crosby, 1995). In the end the final analysis will provided the fullest picture of children’s social well being and direction for understanding positive peer relations.

Additional Pressures

The additional pressures that are faced in adolescences compared to middle childhood are pretty similar. There are pressures that can influences teens as well as children’s dress, the music they listen to and their behavior. As teen the behaviors are things like drugs, cigarettes, and sex. A lot of satiations come from cliques of friends that are the same age. It can start in early childhood with kids getting other kids to do what they want to do. Then as they go though the preteen and teen years pressures intensify. Once in middle and high school adolescents deal with peer pressure regularly. It said this how they learn to get along with others of their own age group and become independent. Most adolescence gives in to peer pressure so they can be liked or fit in to certain groups. This is so they won’t be made fun of for not getting with the rest of the kids in the group. There are times that the kids get involved because they want do something different that everyone else may be doing. This is somewhat common with childhood children but at this age if they get bored with it they will walk away from those situations and do something diffent.

Moral Values

The development of moral values from middle childhood into adolescence can be a changellage. In the middle childhood stage the children are told that there are rules and they have to be followed and because of that the children follow the rules. When it comes to adolescences they explain that rules are to be followed this way everyone will play the game demonstration that as their moral development occurs and children began to know the greater of good. When we are young we follow the rules to avoid the consequences, but as older kids they want to know what is in it for me mentality, and then only do what is needed to be able to get something from it. Experts differ in their own opinion as to how moral compass is developed, but all agree that it’s an important rite as children grow, evolve and take their place as a member of society.

Conclusion

In conclusion we review the changes that occur during middle child hood and adolescence concerning family and peer relationships, and how they might influence future development. Parents have the ability to be warm and responsive and at the same time be firm and provide consistent supervision. Being accepted is one of the biggest elements in a parent-child relationship. Giving praise being involved and showing concern all play a part in a Childs self-esteem and social adjustment. Parents need to encourage their children by soliciting their opinion or self encouraging self expression. A child needs support and encouragement and parents need to understand that, as well as rules and expectations.

Reference

http://psycserver.psyc.queensu.ca/craigw/Pepler_Craig_1998.pdf http://www.blogtoplist.com/health/blogdetails-3852.html Debra J. Pepler. "Assessing Children's Peer Relationships", Child Psychology and Psychiatry Review, 11/1998