Attachment and Autonomy During Adolescence

Demanda de autonomía en la relación entre los adolescentes y sus padres: normalización del conflicto

“…Es tal su relevancia que algunos autores estructuran la etapa del ciclo vital familiar con hijos adolescentes por medio de la consecución de la autonomía y el descubrimiento de la identidad (Arranz y Oliva, 2004;McElhaney, Allen, Stephenson y Hare, 2009;Rodrigo y Palacios, 2003;Smetana, Campione-Barr y Metzger, 2006). Existe consenso en la literatura especializada sobre el progresivo aumento de la autonomía durante la adolescencia, siendo considerada como un aspecto normativo de esta etapa (De la Torre, 2011;Gossens, 1996;Parra y Oliva, 2001).…”

Exploring Adolescent-parent Relationships in Asian American Immigrant Families: An Ecological Perspective

“…However, developmental researchers in general view adolescents' pursuit of autonomy as normative and positive. They also support the notion that some degree of separation from parents is desirable for healthy development during adolescence (Ryan & Lynch, 1989;Steinberg & Silverberg, 1986), particularly as autonomy is seen as necessary to make ageappropriate commitments to adult roles and responsibilities (McElhaney et al, 2009;Steinberg & Silverberg, 1986). In that context, some level of emotional distance from parents is adaptive because it enables adolescents to become more mature and more responsible while relinquishing childish dependence on parents (Laursen & Collins, 2009;McElhaney et al, 2009;Ryan & Lynch, 1989;Steinberg & Silverberg, 1986).…”

“…Overall, this transformation in parent-child relationships isviewed as a positive and necessary step as adolescents develop into adulthood (Laursen & Collins, 2009;Youniss & Smollar, 1985;Steinberg, 1990Steinberg, , 2001). Many researchers have seen these changes in adolescence, especially in regards to potential parent-adolescent challenges, as being associated with the issues of autonomy and renegotiation of parental authority in adolescent's lives (McElhaney, Allen, Stephenson, & Hare, 2009;Smetana & Asquith, 1994;Smetana, Villalobos, Tasopoulos-Chan, Gettman, & Campione-Barr, 2009;Steinberg & Silverberg, 1986). In the following section, we discuss how these specific factors are related to changes in parent-child relationships during adolescence.…”

“…In this context, as opposed to open communication and negotiation, which are more common in European American families, AA parents are likely to demand obedience from their children. Rather than being permitted or encouraged to be assertive and develop individuality (McElhaney et al, 2009), AA adolescents are often required to sacrifice their self-interests for the sake of family interests and to maintain family harmony (Kwak, 2003). Moreover, as noted earlier, they are often required to take on family obligations, due to demands of the immigrant family (e.g., Fuligni et al, 2009;Kwak, 2003;Min, 1998).…”

“…Historically, achievements of autonomy and separation from parents have been viewed as contributing to the adolescents' identity formation, one of the central tasks of adolescence (Collins & Steinberg, 2006;Erikson, 1968;Steinberg 1990;Steinberg & Silverberg, 1986). Research is increasingly showing that the healthy adolescent autonomy is established not at the expense of attachment with parents, but in the context of close parent-child relationship (Kagitçibasi, 2005;McElhaney et al, 2009;Ryan & Lynch, 1989). However, developmental researchers in general view adolescents' pursuit of autonomy as normative and positive.…”