Impact of socio economic factors on the development of life skills in adolescents

Abstract

Adolescence is characterized as a transitional phase in the human life marked by rapid physiological changes, psychosocial maturation and cognitive development. These changes cause internal stress and pressures, which if not resolved at proper time, may create psychological problems in future. As the ruminations, discernments and ideas developed during this phase play a significant role in moulding the entire persona and temperament of the adolescents, it becomes a matter of paramount importance to extenuate the problems of adolescents, which can be achieved distinctly by imparting them effective life skills training. Adolescents who possess life skills are equipped to deal with life s inexorable tribulations and adversities efficiently on the one hand, and are enabled to transcribe knowledge, attitude and morals into actual prowess on the other. Cognitive attributes like the activities, interests and opinions of an adolescent and his family are liable to consciously and unconsciously affect his/her social, physical and psychological well being, thus affecting the child s attitude, aptitude, personality and confidence. Various researchers have established Socio-economic status (SES), ascertained by income, level of education and occupation, to be affecting the health, academic excellence, and general well being of a person, so SES should also be a determinant in developing the life skills of adolescents. Keeping these aspects in mind, the present investigation was aimed at studying empirically the impact that the socio economic status, along with the activities, interests and opinions of adolescents have in developing the life skills among school going adolescents of age group 12-19 years, in the rural urban continuum of Faridabad area in the Indian state of Haryana, in relation to type of school (private or government school) and gender (male or female). Key words: Life Skills, Adolescents; Psychographic factors; Activities; Interests; Opinions; Socio-Economic Status; Rural-Urban Continuum; Government schools; P