Introduction

The period of time between the ages of 16 to 19 years is often referred to as late adolescence. It is the period between adolescence and full adult maturity. It appears that this categorisation, whether it exists at all and the qualities attributed to it, is very much socially and historically constructed. That is to say, it is defined in particular ways by the societies and cultures in which young people of this age find themselves.

What is clear is that social and emotional developments occurring during this age-range, now more than ever, are not necessarily determined by age nor by physical change alone, but are strongly influenced by the social and environmental context in which the young person is developing.

Nevertheless there are some shared traits and characteristics that can be observed over this age range. From a biological perspective, the prefrontal cortex of the brain involved in decision-making and problem solving and the limbic system which is involved in emotional responses, are still developing at this time. The capacity for learning at this age, an expanding social life and a taste for exploration and limit testing may all, to some extent, be reflections of age-related biology.