The Stress of Growing Up
During development, children face many challenges and demands. Some are produced by the body itself as it grows and matures, while others are produced from the external environment as adult demands are placed on them.
These stressors include the following:
Meeting personal goals
- Occurs when parents set unrealistic goals for their children
- Occurs when children set high goals as they compete with friends or peers
- Goals should not be set too low or children will become unmotivated and not realize their potential
Self-esteem
- Self image develops early in childhood from many family values, attitudes, and personal experiences
- Those that are reinforced affect how children view themselves and the extent to which they respond to stressors
- A positive self-image allows for the development of good skills; a negative self-image may not.
Changing values
- Some children may feel that adults do not value the things children believe are important. This can lead to confusion and conflict.
Social standards
- With changing expectations and standards in child development, children can become confused trying to understand social standards that are acceptable at one time and not at another.
Ability and personal competence
- A lack of confidence in a child’s personal ability can create problems in school
Competition with others
- Children want to be liked, and therefore accepted by their peers. At the same time, they want to feel special. Variations can cause stress.
Source: Teaching Children About Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach by Estelle
Weinstein, Efrem Rosen
