Youth 220
1/25/2023
Defining Youth & Culture
Where does adolescence originate?
A. Adolescent is derived from Latin word “adolescere”, meaning “grow into maturity” or
“grow up”
B. Adolescents as we know them are a phenomenon of the 20th century. A 20th century
word.
C. “Teenager” as a word was popularized out of WWII era to refer to adolescents. The
adolescent revolution in the U.S is out of the post war era
D. 21st Century: 10-25
1. Early adolescence: 10-13, Middle School/Jr. High
2. Middle adolescence: 14-18, Senior High
3. Late adolescence: 19-25, College-age
The five leading characteristics of adolescence are biological growth and development,
and undefined status, increased decision making, increased pressures, and the search
for self
E. Why age 10?
1. Physiological reason: The age for puberty has consistently dropped since WWII.
Over a 20 year period (1945-65) this dropped by 19 months. Boys mature later than
girls
2. Cultural reason:
a) Media- TV, Social, Internet, cellular, gaming
b) Music- historically aimed at youth
c) More Isolated: Two parents work, Broken homes-abandonment
These pressure the pre-adolescent into the adolescent world prematurely.
F. Why age 25?
1. Prolonged education
- Delayed marriage: Joseph Fletcher’s Situational Ethics (Proposed an ethic of “loving
concern”)
2. Cultural Traits
a) Postponing adulthood and postponing choices
b) Short term commitments. Do not want to give up freedom
c) Materialistic: Goal is to be well off financially
III. Why have Ministry to Adolescents?
A. Because of their response to the gospel
1. More than “75% of those who get saved do so before the age of 21” (Barna)
2. Barna research:
a) Nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus as their Savior do so before
reaching the age of 13
b) Two out of three born again Christians accept Jesus as their Savior before
their 18th
The five leading characteristics of adolescence are biological growth and development,
and undefined status, increased decision making, increased pressures, and the search
for self
75% of people are saved before they turn 21
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