Growing Up A Man

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

Growing up is a complex process of physiological, emotional, intellectual transition from the state of “child” to the state of “adult”. In the process of growing up, biological changes occur in the body, restructuring and changes in the functioning of hormonal systems, which can often be the cause of certain emotional reactions. Also, growing up provides for the development, expansion, and sometimes a complete transformation of a person's worldview.

The first signs of secondary puberty in guys begin to appear around the age of 11-12. But this range is very conditional, since many factors affect physiological development: heredity, general condition of the body, diet, physical activity, etc. Mostly, this process in a guy begins at the same age as his father. But it should be remembered that this process is characterized by individual characteristics, and even among brothers, the signs of maturation may differ.

This period is accompanied by significant emotional, sometimes even critical, reactions. And it is very important during this period to give the boy support that everything is fine, that everything is fine with him.

The development of puberty, the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics contributes to the formation of a sense of adulthood as a central personality neoplasm of a teenager, provides an activation of sexual identification, and provokes sexual desire. But, at the same time, the phenomenon of "dysmorphophobia" (that is, rejection of one's body), widespread during this period, prevents the easy establishment of contact with the opposite sex, which, in turn, leads to the development of even greater sets and fears.

If we look at the process of growing up in the context of psychoanalytic theory, then attention should be paid to such a phenomenon as separation from parental figures and the resolution of the "Oedipus complex".

Separation is primarily expressed in the physical (birth and first year of life), emotional (adolescence) and financial separation of a man from his parents.

I note that sometimes the separation may not take place at all, or be incomplete, which will leave a significant imprint on the life of not only the young person, but also his parents, as well as the close environment.

The so-called "Oedipus complex" is very closely related to separation, the success of which will also signify the success of a man's growing up.

Successful resolution of the “Oedipus complex” is the ability of a person to form his own healthy value system (Superego), based on the attitudes and prohibitions of the parents. A man metaphorically “kills” some of these attitudes and prohibitions, “falls in love and cherishes” something (by analogy with the well-known myth of King Oedipus). And, finally, he enters the adult world with his own system of values, which will serve as a support in resolving various life situations.

And the main threat to male growing up is not the fear of castration, but the ambivalent fear-fantasy about his mother. The boy experiences fantasies of returning to the primary symbiosis with his mother and the simultaneous fear of losing his “I” in this merger. Hence, the teenager's violent protest against the imposition of some framework on him and a demonstrative desire for independence. And it is during this period that the father must demonstrate his power and authority.

Well, an important criterion for growing up is the ability and ability to bear responsibility for someone else besides oneself. That is, an adult man ultimately accepts this responsibility and becomes ready for certain steps and actions that are provided for by this responsibility.