CHANGE: METAMORPHOSIS

OF A PERSON
Youth Development Session
 METAMORPHOSIS
• A major change in the appearance or
character of someone or something.

• In biology- a major change in the form or

structure of some animals or insects that
happens as the animal or insect becomes an
adult.
Just like butterflies, human also undergo
metamorphosis. The caterpillar stage is like
the childhood stage wherein our physical
bodies are nurtured, and our mental and
moral foundations are conditioned. This
prepares the child for later years.
Adolescence on the other hand, can be
compared to the cocoon stage of the butterfly
or from a seed to a tree. It is the transitional
stage from childhood to adulthood. It is a stage
in human development where there are
significant physical, behavioral and emotional
changes in an individual. It is a period where a
person is still searching for his/her identity, a
period where one undergoes self-discovery.
 It is also a period, according to Rudolf Steiner, where
the child begins to search for truths about the world
and he/she begins to experience the power of
his/her own thinking (Mitchell, 2006).
Unlike children who imitate adult, adolescents
tend to have unrealistic expectations. Gone is the
imitation stage and an age of idealism comes in.
Adolescents seek a role model that will fit their
descriptions of their ideals; children simply conform
with the standards set by adults.
A positive and compassionate adult should
be present to “guide” the adolescent and not
dictate what should be done. The adolescent
is now preparing himself/herself for his/her role
and functions as a productive adult in his/her
community. At the end of this period, he/she is
expected to have knowledge, skills and
attitudes to fulfill life purpose as an adult.
 IN THE ADOLESCENTS STAGE, LOTS OF
CONFLICTS MAY ARISE DUE TO THE
FOLLOWING REASONS:
• The adolescent’s bodies may have greatly matured but their
mental and social skills are still developing.
• Adults in the community have lots of demands and high
expectations from adolescents but they do not provide the
adolescents with proper guidance. Parents would often scold
and criticize the adolescent instead of helping him/her to gain
self-realization.
• Adolescents are often confused by the expectations of the
parents. They are expected to assume responsibility, but still
he/she must be obedient or submissive to his/her parents’
demands.