ABSTRACT
Adolescence is a time of great turmoil, confusion, and uncertainty, but it is through this process that we arrive at adulthood. The purpose of adolescence is the establishment of a personal identity, and in order to achieve this the child has to separate from his or her early object ties to parents and achieve a position outside the family. This separation is achieved gradually: by establishing a position within a peer group followed by more intimate relationships. In mid or late adolescence, choices are made about focusing on areas of achievement, possibly involving a period as a student, or on finding employment that will lead to economic independence. In the latter stages of adolescence, moving out of the parental home to live independently or with peers, and forming intimate sexual relationships, facilitates the move into adulthood.
