67 NEEDS Adolescents have many needs spanning different areas. Freedom Freedom allows teenagers to practise, assess risk, stay informed, make good decisions, and learn from mistakes. Freedom prepares people for adulthood and helps teens to develop skills such as problemsolving, budgeting, organisation, and time management. See Unit 2.4. Why do you think adolescents spend a lot of time in front of a mirror? Discuss. to assess: valutare mood swing: cambiamento d umore to rely on: fare affidamento su to span: abbracciare to strain: deteriorare 144 ADOLESCENTS Self-dependence Self-dependence is the state of depending on yourself for everything you need, rather than on other people. It is particularly important at this age of personal growth and development. When individuals rely on themselves, they develop self-confidence, selfesteem, and a sense of accomplishment. They also learn from their mistakes, and through perseverance and determination, they become more resilient. Clear identity The American psychoanalyst Erik Erikson (1902-1994) identified eight stages of psychosocial development. As for stage five adolescence he claims that rapid body growth combined with choosing an adult occupation places a heavy weight on the sense of identity of young people . All their experiences help teenagers to bring out their uniqueness and understand what they want to become. In short, they define their character and identity. Whether it is in athletics, music, school, art, or facing new relationships, it is essential they find their area of competence to build their personality. Support and direction Since adolescence is a complex time for teenagers, they need different types of support to choose the direction they want to follow. Usually, parents provide emotional and instrumental support, friends and peers provide informational and emotional support, and teachers provide academic support. The lack of healthy relationships may have negative consequences since an adolescent will always look for a relationship of some kind, and, if it s not good, it will end up being a negative one. Sense of belonging In general, adolescents don t like staying on their own. They need to feel like they belong to something (a team, a class, a group of friends) and are truly accepted for who they are. It helps them to manage stress and feel more resilient, which ultimately allows them to cope more effectively during challenging times.