Adolescence: Change and Continuity

Adolescents and Unrelated Adult Relationships

Heather Buziak

Who Are These Unrelated Adults?

Before explaining the role of an unrelated adult in an adolescent's life, we will look at who these adults are, and where they interact with adolescents. Adolescents are exposed to unrelated adults mainly through school, activities, and family acquaintances (Darling, Hamilton, and Hames in press). Teachers, athletic coaches, club leaders, neighbors, employers, and parents of peers, are just a few of the adults that adolescents may see on a regular basis. The setting in which an adolescent interacts with a teacher is very different than the setting in which the adolescent interacts with a peer's parents. Having an environment that includes unrelated adults in a "variety of settings," encourages the adolescent to form strong bonds with non-parental adults (Granovetter 1983).

Why Are Unrelated Adults Important For Adolescents?

It is clear that unrelated adults are present in the lives of adolescents, but what do they do for the adolescents, and why are relationships with non-related adults important? Adults may foster and support the instrumental growth (Darling, Hamilton, & Niego 1994) of an adolescent's development. One reason is "because of the value adolescents place on their opinion and because of their credibility" (Rosenberg 1973). For example, a student who is curious about science may form a bond with his biology teacher, a reliable expert in the field. The teacher may encourage the student to learn about science while providing a challenging yet comfortable setting for the student (Clark-Lempers, Lempers, & Ho, 1991). Unrelated adults who foster instrumental growth are open, honest, understanding, encouraging, and supportive (Darling, Hamilton, & Niego 1994). This type of growth encourages adolescents to focus on skills, career goals, and other technical based activities.

Another important role of unrelated adults, in relation to adolescents, is to provide an example of an ideal, successful adult. Admirable qualities in an unrelated adult may encourage the adolescent to approach the adult in times of need. An adolescent might look toward an unrelated adult for guidance, discussion, and advice. This may be very important in a circumstance where an adolescent does not feel comfortable confronting parents with a certain issue (Munsch & Blyth 1993).

The importance of unrelated adults and adolescent relationships is not hypothetical or theorized. Research, (Big Brother/Big Sister studies) proves that these relationships "encourage higher career aspirations(Granovetter 1983); result in lower drug and alcohol use; create a better attitude toward school; foster higher grades and attendance; and aid in developing better relationships with peers and family members" (Tierney, Grossman, & Resch, 1996).

This article barely touches the surface of how unrelated adults affect adolescent development. There is much more to learn about these mentors, role models, and idols. Even though research points to many positive aspects of unrelated adult/adolescent relationships, our changing society is making it harder for students to take advantage of these relationships (Scales 1996). "Single parent homes, school settings in which there is a high ratio of students per teacher, and declining neighborhood safety" are all responsible for decreasing the chances of adolescents forming bonds with unrelated adults (Lerner, et al, 2000). With such beneficial outcomes, it is devastating to think that our society is limiting an adolescent's chance of forming such life enhancing relationships.

Works Cited