Adolescentia

Adolescentia is the Latin term for adolescence, the transitional period between childhood and adulthood. The word derives from adolescents, meaning to grow up or mature. In classical and medieval usage it referred broadly to youth, but in modern scholarly contexts it denotes a defined stage of development marked by physical, cognitive, and social changes.

In contemporary psychology and anthropology, adolescence is typically described as spanning roughly from ages 10 to 19, with some models extending into the early twenties as part of “emerging adulthood.” Puberty marks the physical onset, with earlier onset in girls (around 8–13 years) and boys (around 9–14 years). Brain development during this period includes synaptic pruning and ongoing maturation of the prefrontal cortex, contributing to evolving judgment, planning, and impulse control.

Adolescence encompasses significant psychosocial changes: the formation of personal and social identities, emerging autonomy, and shifting peer relationships. Cognitive growth often brings improved abstract thinking and problem-solving, though risk-taking and emotional flux can rise, influenced by hormonal changes, environment, and social context. Mental health concerns frequently emerge or intensify during this time, making sleep, nutrition, education, and access to health services important.

Culturally, adolescence is shaped by rites of passage, family structures, and societal expectations. Legal definitions of age and majority vary by jurisdiction and affect rights to education, consent, and healthcare. Overall, adolescentia denotes a critical, diverse phase in which individuals develop toward adult roles within their cultural and social environments.