They have mastered previous developmental stages without serious problems. They accept social norms and feel comfortable in society at large. The adolescents in the surgent growth group are different in that their genetic and environmental backgrounds are not as free of problems and traumas. Ages 13 to 16 The age of 13 to 16 brings an enormous change in physical and psychological development. Throughout adolescence, girls remain about two years ahead of boys in their level of maturity.
Some adolescents bloom early, and some bloom late, each having a different psychological challenge.
Early bloomers may be expected to perform with individuals of their size, where late bloomers suffer from the problems of self-esteem that result from looking more immature than their peers. Adolescents of this age group experience a great deal of ambivalence and conflict and they often blame outside world for their discomfort. As they struggle to develop their own identity, dependence upon parents gives way to a new dependence upon peers. The adolescent struggles to avoid dependence and may disparage parents devaluing past attachments. These early teens often find a new ego ideal that leads to idealization of sports figures or entertainers.