Standing on Their Own Feet

Young children are either cute and delightful or are having temper tantrums. Primary school children are eager and enthusiastic gaining mastery of their world, defiant and difficult at times, but still mainly wanting to please, responding to suggestions and requirements. Then comes adolescence and the rules of engagement change. Young adolescents aged ten to fourteen years are still legally children; parents or carers are responsible for them and their behavior. However, these young people begin to see themselves as separate independent individuals. Friendships become more intense and the peer group becomes increasingly significant. External issues can be vital, clothes, hair style, make up, activities, behavior in school or outside all come to signify to which group the young person belongs. Home and the family become less and less important.

Jyudith Trowell is Professor of Child Mental Health, West Midlands NIMHE/CSIP and University of Worcester.