Socialization and Self‐Development: Channeling, Selection, Adjustment, and Reflection

Abstract

Adolescence is a crossroads from childhood to adulthood. Childhood experiences and biological characteristics are transformed into interests, competencies, and self-beliefs and begin to play an increasingly important role as the adolescent starts to make his or her way toward adult life. This development is channeled by a variety of opportunities and constraints in the adolescent's social and institutional environments: Not all is possible, but many things are. Out of these alternative pathways the adolescent has to select the ones that appeal to him or her, or, in some cases, to significant others. Not everything is attained, and surprises are part of the game. Therefore, ways to deal with problems and unexpected events are developed. Along with these efforts and adventures, adolescents begin to know themselves and to make reflections about who they are. Young people are not alone in their efforts. Most of them live with their parents but spend increasing amounts of time with their peers and friends. In these relations, advice is given, interests raised, goals negotiated, solutions compared, and outcomes evaluated. The aim of this chapter is to review what is currently known about the ways in which adolescents make their ways into adulthood.

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