ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author argues that the teenage years should be considered as a transition, and he focuses on the nature of transitions to provide a perspective on this stage. He outlines some aspects of social change that have a direct impact on teenage development. The author then discusses a theory of human development that offers a valuable perspective on teenage years. He also considers puberty and its impact on development. The author details some thoughts about parenting, and provides a short reflection on vulnerability. The key element of a transition is uncertainty about whether people are in one state or the other. One factor that has a profound influence on the type of transition experienced by the young person is the social context in which they grow up. The four topics that might be considered under the heading of social change are: the family, the transition from education to employment, multi-culturalism, and the impact of the digital world.
