Introduction

From the moment the adolescent is transferring his social center from the family to the group of friends, the group begins to exercise specific functions that contribute to the psychological and social development of the members.

In this article we will share the most important functions exercised by the group over its members.

1. In the group, the adolescent finds the medium in which he can compare himself with others.

It is notorious to understand that physical, intellectual, emotional and social changes are contrasted with those of his friends. The group, then, marks a point of reference for general development.

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2 In the group the teenager learns to relate to others.

Relating to others is a basic skill for the human being, it is strengthened during these years of adolescence, especially in the context of other children of his age.

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3. The group offers the adolescent a medium in which moral values ​​and norms are taking shape and

becoming your own.

Until now, the adolescent has developed within the family, where he has been taught the beliefs, norms and ideals of the parents. Making them yours is a difficult task, but the group can be a good place to try them, contrast them and assimilate them.

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4. When the adolescent suffers moments of stress (especially those motivated by the crisis with his own family), the group serves as emotional support.

Inevitably, the group is the place where, between jokes and games, or even in more intimate conversations, the adolescent has the opportunity to release tension.

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5. The adolescent finds in the group a medium in which he learns to value the concepts of the community.

In the group, the adolescent learns to value community concepts such as solidarity, identification with the group, loyalty to a group, company and competition with other groups. This constitutes an essay for the future, when these same ideals can be the basis of the work and social environment.

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6. The most important thing is to recognize that, in the group, it is where the self-concept is adjusted.

The members of a healthy and balanced group learn to be satisfied with themselves in the present, although they also consider other objectives to achieve in the future.

Of course, certain groups can exert a very negative influence, especially if the group's values ​​are antisocial.

There are times when the adolescent can not integrate into the related group. In these cases, another important problem may arise, which is loneliness.