I was at graduate school before I came across the conundrum of adolescence. I had presumptuously assumed I understood it.  But I hadn’t fully grasped how significant this stage is—how powerful the impact of interventions can be, and how being included or excluded from the label "adolescent" might shape someone’s life experiences. In class, I learned the pioneering psychologist G. Stanley Hall publicized the term "adolescence" in the 20th Century. Since his inception in the early 90s, the age and stage of adolescence has been of primary interest and has expanded across fields (e.g. cognitive development). In Adolescence (1904), Hall introduces the epoch between childhood and adulthood as "storm and stress"—a developmental stage rife with conflict and risky behaviors. This may not reflect your experience exactly—maybe you have incredible coping strategies—but adolescence is known for identity exploration, increased autonomy, and risk taking (Miller, 2016).

In Voices of Flow, you’ll hear young people navigate the ambiguity and intensity of this stage. When asked directly, their answers about being an “adolescent” are revealing. Today, many young people delay so-called “adult” milestones—marriage, home ownership, parenthood, and even completing education (Curtis, 2015). And when Americans in their late teens and early twenties were asked whether they considered themselves adults, many said something like: “I don’t know”(Arnott, 2000). This uncertainty inspired the term "emerging adulthood", coined by Arnott. It typically refers to people aged 18–25—especially in WEIRD societies (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic). Emerging adults often don’t see themselves as teens or adults. James (23), for example, lives squarely in this in-between.

Confused yet? Hang on! 

Question break: think of someone you know who is typical of an "adolescent". What is it about them that puts this in this age group? 

Before we move on, I want to share with you a list of organizations who have an opinion on the age of adolescence. Is it important to you that they unite, that they keep up with new developments and recent research? 

• The World Health Organization (WHO): 10-19 years (World Health Organization, n.d)

• G. Stanley Hall (1904): 14-24 years (Hall, 1904)

• Society for Adolescent Medicine: 10-25 years (Sawyer et al., 2018)

• American Academy of Pediatrics (2024): 11-21 years (Chung et al., 2024)

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention: 9th-12th grade (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023)

While, Grant (17) is sure he is an adolescent, Jacob (14) resonates more with an emerging adult, and James (23) doesn't have a definitive answer. But, who decides? Don't you think YOU should decide?

Question break: when you think about the markers of adolescence, what do you think of and are these universal (i.e. are they the same for all individuals everywhere)?

The period of adolescence has been described as like "shooting at a moving target" (Sturman & Moghaddam, 2011). But why researchers say this? Well, it’s a distinct stage, full of transformation—emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and biological. There is a maturational gap between the brains ability to remodel the reward system which is such a prevalent part of adolescent development. And, during this time, adolescence gradually develop an ability to resist peer influences (Albert, Chein & Steinberg., 2013). At no other time in life is change so rapid, yet so unpredictable. You might crave independence but still need a parent’s permission to join the military at 17.

Next I'll introduce a couple of things that can be helpful to those who consider themselves adolescents. But firstly, let's clarify the age thing.  

Psychologist Lawrence Steinberg (2014) put it well:

“Adolescence starts with biology and ends with culture.”
(Curtis, 2015; Schrobsdorff, 2014)

That means adolescence begins with personal changes (like puberty) but ends based on your culture’s expectations—marriage, employment, or financial independence. This flexibility lets you self-identify, which is exactly how this project is built.

Question break: at what point did you recognize that you were an adolescent? Was there an action or limitation or event that truly stands out? 

🧠💥 Wait... Am I the Product?

A whistleblower once said people aged 13–17 are “vulnerable yet very valuable.” (Yeah... yikes.)

Big Tech studies your emotions to keep you using apps longer. It’s clever—and kind of creepy.

Let’s flip the script:

• 💭 What do you think “vulnerable yet valuable” means?

• 😳 How does it feel knowing businesses study your generation’s psychology?

• 🔄 If you’re being studied like a science project... what would you change about social media?

• 🧪 Just for fun: Redesign a social media app by teens, for teens. What stays? What gets banned forever?

• 💡 Surviving and Thriving in Adolescence

🏀 Sports

• Sports help you build leadership, connect with others, and discover your strengths. They’re fun, energizing, and a great way to tap into flow.

🌍 Novelty

• Just like your stomach craves variety, so does your brain. New experiences help your brain rewire—this is called plasticity, and adolescence is a prime time for it.

🎭 Identity

• Try new versions of yourself! Want to be a skater? A poet? An activist? Go for it. This is the time to explore without pressure. Identity is one of the most important parts of adolescent development.

🌱 Purpose

• As you gain autonomy, you gain access to purpose. Volunteer. Get a part-time job. Learn a new language. The point is to build your world—and your confidence.

🗳️ Civic Engagement

• You’re part of something bigger. Whether it’s your school, neighborhood, or online community, getting involved boosts your mental health and expands your horizons.

🌟 The 7 C’s of Positive Youth Development

According to psychologist Richard Lerner (2005), there are seven ingredients that help young people thrive:

1. Competence

2. Confidence

3. Character

4. Connection

5. Caring

6. Contribution (recent addition)

7. Creativity (recent addition)

If you're in an after-school program or team, ask yourself: How is this building my C’s?

Remember:

“Development is always development in context.”
— Osher et al., (2018)

Whether it’s family, culture, education, or policy—your environment shapes your journey.

Thanks for reading!