Adolescence: a family affair
Tonge, B.J.
Australian Family Physician 12(11): 803
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8495 PMID: 6667192 Document Number: 219941
In 'The Winter's Tale' Shakespeare has an old shepherd say: "I would there were no age between ten and twenty three, or that youth would sleep out the rest; for there's nothing in between but getting wenches with child, wronging the ancientry, stealing and fighting." Shakespeare highlights that the risks and crises of adolescence are development of adult sexuality; separation from parents (the 'ancientry') and development of independence; and the expression of (and coping with) aggressive feelings. I would add a fourth task: formation of an identity and development of the adult mind.