After reading this chapter, students should be able to:

• Describe the self-concept of the average adolescent
  
  
• Describe the reasons for the differences in gender, SES, and race in regard to developing self-esteem
  
  
• Describe Erikson's theory regarding identity formation during the adolescent stage
  
  
• Describe the four categories of Marcia's approach to identity development
  
  
• Compare and contrast different societal models of identity development for racial and ethnic minorities
  
  
• Explain why the incidence of depression is higher in females than in males
  
  
• Describe the factors commonly associated with adolescent suicide
  
  
• Identify the warning signs of the possibility of suicide
  
  
• Explain why clashes between parents and their adolescents are so common
  
  
• Describe the true nature of the generation gap between parents and their adolescents
  
  
• Explain reasons related to cultural differences in parent-child conflicts during adolescence
  
  
• Explain the reasons behind the growing prominence of peer relationships in adolescence
  
  
• Describe the nature of adolescent peer networks
  
  
• Explain why adolescent peer networks seem to be defined by racial and ethnic segregation
  
  
• Describe the nature of popularity status during the adolescent period
  
  
• Describe the tendency of succumbing to peer pressure in adolescence
  
  
• Describe the reasons associated with becoming involved in delinquent behavior during adolescence
  
  
• Explain the functions of adolescent dating
  
  
• Explain how the view of adolescent masturbation has changed over the years
  
  
• Explain why sexual activity is currently taking place earlier in adolescence than it did in the past
  
  
• Explain how sexual preference is determined
  
  
• Explain the reasons related to the higher teen pregnancy rate in the United States than in other industrialized nations
  
  
• Describe the effect of unintended pregnancy on teen mothers