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Adolescence - GCSE Sociology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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What is Adolescence?

In GCSE sociology, adolescence is the period of time in an individual’s life between childhood and adulthood. According to the World Health Organisation (2024), adolescence spans from ages 10 to 19, although some scientists believe it lasts until the age of 24.

Adolescence usually begins with the onset of puberty and there are many biological, cognitive, psychosocial, and emotional changes that take place. It becomes normal for peers and romantic partners to become more important than parents in an adolescent’s life as they move into secondary education and beyond.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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