Working with Families Experiencing Vulnerability A Partnership Approach

Being a young person can be hard. It is the developmental period of someone’s life where you start to question who you are, and where you fit in. For many, it is a rite of passage into becoming an adult with shared responsibilities and a sense of belonging and purpose. For others, it can be a difficult transition based on your perceived support and access to resources. This chapter will further explore the terrain of being a teenager alongside support we can provide as professional practitioners. According to developmental psychologists and researchers, the adolescent period of life is complex and varied. According to the World Health Organization, adolescence may generally occur between the ages of 10 and 19. It is also suggested that it can be up to the age of 24 and 25. Globally, the definition of youth can also vary in socio-political contexts, with some prescribing the upper age of 35. Our local legislation within Australia provides further definition, with many western countries signposting the age of 18 as when you become an adult, with the rights and responsibilities to exercise your democratic right to vote, and legally consume alcohol.