Adolescence is the period of increased social relationships and contact. The school should therefore, provide adequate and ample opportunities leading to the social growth of the adolescents. It should aim at creating such an environment as would develop satisfying social relations.
Group loyalty becomes pronounced during this period. Family pride and loyalty are also well-marked. Co-operation reaches its peak. Adolescence is a period of strong friendship or hostility. The adolescents need proper education on how to develop health and desirable relations with their classmates.
When he is denied the peer status, he is frustrated. He exhibits a strong desire to reform others and is critical of social injustice in the community. Teacher should try to encourage among adolescents’ group compatibility, kindness, sympathy, fair play, courtesy, politeness, dependability, self confidence, co-operation, leadership and cheerfulness.
Teacher can inspire them to participate in co-operative activities without conflict.
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He can also guide adolescents to take responsibilities. With the expert guidance of teacher, students must realise how to accept different roles in accordance with the demands of different situations. It depends on the efficiency of the teacher how he guides them to put group benefits before selfish gains.
The organisation of clubs, camps, groups and societies is also very helpful in maintaining the social health of children. The establishment of small literary and social groups, screening of educational films, organising dramas, scout groups, camp fire etc, provide extremely wholesome social diet for adolescents.