Childhood and Adolescence | Report

Running head: CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE
CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE
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CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE1
Introduction
Childhood and adolescence are both diverse stages in an individual’s life, each with its
own set of varied social, psychological and emotional development. However, the experiences of
one stage closely contribute to the transition of the other (Defoe et al., 2015). The following
paper will hence extensively discuss on the key role of peer relationships, family and morals
during childhood and adolescence, using developmental theories.
Discussion
Family Dynamics and Development
While a child demonstrates several greater levels of independence in comparison to
infants, he or she is still dependent on his or her parents, which is why, family dynamics heavily
influence childhood development. According to Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development
theory, infants belong to the stage of trust vs. mistrust where he or she is heavily dependent on
parents for fulfilment of biological, social, emotional and financial needs. Fulfilment of needs
contributes to children feeling safe, secure and self-independent in their future exploits (Lee &
McLanahan, 2015). It is for this reason why functional family environments contribute to
positive child development since such families, in addition to caring for the child’s sleep, hunger
and food needs, also provide love and support to their children and respect their child’s
independent views. A dysfunctional family filled with arguing parents or parents who mistreat or
abuse the child is likely to harm a child’s psychosocial development and is likely to result in
developmental delays and behavioral abnormalities (Sampson, 2017).
According to Bowlby’s theory of maternal attachment, the prevalence of nurturing,
affectionate and loving relationships with parents, especially the mother, can contribute to an

CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE2
infant’s feeling of security and safety. When such relationships are absent, as in the case of
nuclear family structures like divorce parents or single parent families, it is likely that the child
will be deprived of these feelings of security which may develop into feelings of fear, anxiety,
insecurity and low self-esteem in adolescents and emerging adulthood (Gross et al., 2017).
Impact of Peer Relationships
According to Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development, children between the ages of 5 to
11 years of age belong to the identity vs. inferiority stage. This stage is characterized by children
beginning to a sense of independence and thus pride in their new found ability to independently
achieve and accomplish tasks and activities (Knight, 2017). When teachers arrange for activities
requiring group work or play, children gain the opportunity to exercise of leadership and
cooperation skills and thus, their skills of independence. When the same is encouraged or
appreciated by or in front of their peers, such children encounter enhancement in their sense of
self-esteem, confidence and self-reliance abilities (Villar & Pratt, 2015).
However, it is likely that each child belonging to the same age group may wish to
exercise their independence and leadership skills thus paving the way for conflicts. When not
controlled harmoniously by teachers, children may thus be ridiculed or discouraged by their
peers resulting in feelings of poor self-esteem, self-confidence and negative self-perceptions
which may further progress towards adolescence. Thus, while positive peer relationships
contribute extensively to a child’s development of confidence, worth and self-esteem, negative
peer relationships can hinder a child’s ability to be independent and self-reliant and thus pave the
way for development of negative perceptions regarding oneself (Wentzel, 2017).
According to Erikson, adolescence highlights the stage of identity vs. confusion where
adolescents seek a sense of identity and approval which will pave the way for the development of