Kendell Fowler

Dr. Gerrity
December 8, 2018
Physical Traits of Different Adolescence
The stage of adolescence is a crucial part of development because this stage in

development makes up who you are when you are out of the stage of adolescence. Adolescence

is the time where you build independence, build social connections, and psychological changes.

As a teacher, how can you combat this issue in the classroom when you are teaching a subject

and there are issues that are happening at the same time with adolescence?

Physical changes in the classroom is something that all adolescence go through however,

this can impact their social connections and psychological development as well. One example

would be student who is overweight and is prone to being made fun of. Overweight adolescence

experience emotional issues including low self-esteem and self-worth (Reece, 2015). As a

teacher this is important keep in mind that this does applies for not just overweight adolescence

but all body types.

During this stage of development there are acne breakouts, girl’s start their periods, their

voice changes, and they grow hair in different places, and body order. Everyone is different and

adolescence may not understand their bodies. What is a solution for different physical

development in adolescence? A solution to this problem is to talk about these changes and make

them aware. With this approach students will be more understanding of the different physical

traits of each person.

Bullying is a major response to the physical difference in adolescence. Bullying can be

physical or emotional and can even happen on social media. A common definition of bullying is
a long standing violence, physical or psychological, perpetrated by an individual or group

directed at someone who cannot defend themselves (Nazir, 2015). This can happen to anyone or

any time and so as a teacher their needs to be a solution. A solution might be to establish a

relationship with all of the students and get to know them. So when bullying does happen, the

students are more likely to talk about it with the teacher.

Sometimes, even if you have a good relationship with students they may not want to talk

about their problems. Sometimes it is best for you to engage the conversation if you feel like

something may be wrong with the student especially if they are emotionally distressed. If they do

not want to open up to you, let them know that you are there for them. This opens the door for

students viewing you as a figure to help with the issues they been having.

What about physical disabilities in adolescence? This factor in adolescents always seems

to isolate the student in schools. Sometimes children with disabilities will never get to interact

with the other students. A study found that students with disabilities do not view themselves

differently in a global sense whether it be from self-acceptance, self-esteem, or self-efficiency

(King, 1993). With this in mind students with disabilities should not be isolated in classrooms

but included in classrooms.

Adolescents with physical disabilities are at high risk of developing additional disabilities

such as cardiovascular and emotional difficulties (Stevens, 1996). A solution for compensation is

to find ways to include that student in your lesson. If you are doing a more physical activity, try

to think of some ways you can include that student so he or she does not feel left out.

One last physical trait that no one can change is their ethnicity. People of African descent

have a record of oppression through slavery and segregation. People of Hispanic, Native
American, and East and South Asian have a history of economic exploitation and military

conquest. There are people with family history of discriminatory immigration laws and barrios to

education and employment opportunities. There are times when stereotypes make their way into

the classroom and cause issues. These stereotypes can lead to bullying in schools but sometimes

this goes beyond schools.

About half of African American and Hispanic youths reported that they were hassled by

store personnel, viewed as dangerous, or viewed as not smart because of ethnic prejudice (Fisher,

2000). A solution for this is not simple and may not make its way outside of a school but it can

start within a classroom. One solution can be simply talking about the stereotypes and letting

students know to not judge or make fun of others because of their skin.

In conclusion, physical differences in adolescence can go a long way in their

development. Students need to be aware of different qualities of students but not discriminate

because of their different qualities. Biology and geography is the reason for the differences in our

physical traits and it is important that young students are aware of this.
 Works Cited

Fisher, Celia B., et al. “Discrimination Distress During Adolescence.” Journal of Youth and

Adolescence, vol. 29, no. 6, 2000, pp. 679–695., doi:10.1023/a:1026455906512.

King, G. A., et al. “Self-Evaluation and Self-Concept of Adolescents With Physical Disabilities.”

American Journal of Occupational Therapy, vol. 47, no. 2, 1993, pp. 132–140.,

doi:10.5014/ajot.47.2.132.

Nazir, Tehseen, and Falak Nesheen. “Impact of School Bullying on Psychological Well-Being of

Adolescents.” Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing, vol. 6, no. 10, ser. 1, 2015, pp.

1037–1040. 1.

Reece, Lindsey J., et al. “‘I Just Don't Want to Get Bullied Anymore, Then I Can Lead a Normal

Life’; Insights into Life as an Obese Adolescent and Their Views on Obesity Treatment.”

Health Expectations, vol. 19, no. 4, 2015, pp. 897–907., doi:10.1111/hex.12385.

Stevens, S. Elizabeth, et al. “Adolescents with Physical Disabilities: Some Psychosocial Aspects

of Health.” Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 19, no. 2, 1996, pp. 157–164.,

doi:10.1016/1054-139x(96)00027-4.