Early adolescent boys' descriptions of nonparental adults who are significant to them and the influence these adults may have on the boys' identity development

Abstract

Parents and peers play an important role in the lives of early adolescent boys but others may also be influential. This study considers the descriptions given by boys in their early adolescence, of their chosen, very important, nonparental adults and the interactions they have with these significant people. Primarily utilising a phenomenological approach, individual interviews and small group discussions were conducted with 11 and 14 year old boys. Four essences of the nature of the interactions between the boys and their chosen adults were identified within the boys' descriptions: fun and humour; care and encouragement; learning and teaching; and doing, being, becoming. Implications for parents, grandparents, teachers and others who care about, and work with, early adolescent boys are discussed.