Developing a realistic, stable and positive identity is the major developmental task of adolescence.
Adolescence can be a scary time, full of angst and new emotions.
It is also a time when the tremendous amount of energy of young people can contribute to many worthwhile projects. The more parents and teachers can do to engage teenagers, the more likely it is that young people will have a successful transitionhood to adulthood. This relationship can be unstable and highly conflictual or there can be a gradual movement by the young person towards autonomy and independence. A certain degree of conflict about the appropriate degree of parental control of adolescent life is almost inevitable. Adolescence is a period when young people spend a lot of time talking and hanging out with each other.