Fifteen Years Old: Eni gmas

Please keep in mind as you read the following lists of developmentally appropriate behaviors, that no two children are alike.  Some children might exhibit all the age-related characteristics, some might exhibit most, and there are some children who might not exhibit more than one or two. 

When using the list below, it is important to also consider your child’s adjusted age if applicable, environmental, and situational factors, the child’s temperament, and if the child is in a period of equilibrium or disequilibrium. 


A 15-year old usually but not always:
Mood

• is moody, but not as intense and piercing as at 13
• is serious-minded but does not indulge in heavy moods
• may be seen as indifferent or apathetic
• is more thoughtful, serious, introspective, and quiet than at earlier ages – even speaks with a soft voice
• may be more withdrawn, slow-to-warm, unwilling to reveal self
• is more belligerent and defiant
• is very vulnerable
• resists limits and is striving to be more independent

Social

• is gregarious in groups, likes gatherings, will follow a crowd, and enjoys spontaneous informal groupings
• shows increased self-awareness and perceptiveness
• focuses attention on details of thought and feeling, notices sensitivities, irritabilities, resistances, aversions and suspicions
• is capable of harboring feelings of grudge, revenge and violence

Communication

• uses exaggerated language to express scorn
• respects the spoken word and works hard to accurately state thoughts and ideas

Family

• feels conflicted over issues of attachment and detachment
• virtually secedes from family – omits or skimps on greetings, keeps to self, won’t sit with family at family functions; family unity at all-time low
• gets along better with siblings
• analyzes the personality traits of parents
• is reconciling loyalty to home, school and community

School/learning

• loves or hates school
• can enjoy competence in school, which can serve as an outlet from subservience at home
• craves guidance from outside the home
• is sensitive about own limitations – tasks that are too hard send him into a slump
• can be confused about own potential and responsibilities
• is a stickler for precision and, at times, is a perfectionist

Physical

• has less energy, which may appear as laziness
• has less interest in food, even sweets

​​Summary of adolescence:

• 10 is reminiscent of 5 – self-contained, relaxed, direct, easy give-and-take
• 11 is tense, questioning, searches and tests self through conflicts with others
• 12 is better balanced – accepts others, more objective, fluctuates from childish to mature attitudes
• 13 withdraws – reminiscent of 7
• 14 more outgoing, compares self with others
• 15 is more introspective – explores self in relation to ideas, ideals, opinions of others
• 16 more at ease, independent, self-reliant

Much of the following information is based on the studies by The Gesell Institute of Human Development, with the primary source being Your One Year Old, by Louise Bates Ames, Ph.D. Also included is information from Pick Up Your Socks by Elizabeth Crary. This information Can be found at the centerforparentingeducation.org