Propose:

Figure out social representations during adolescence in adults and teenagers from Medellín and Armenia (Colombia, South America).

Method:

A qualitative research study was conducted based on a theory of social representations. This research study was developed in two stages: an exploratory stage and the other, a deepening stage. In the exploratory stage, free evocation of words in order to identify a core and peripheral elements of social representations were produced. In the second stage, focus groups and semi-structured interviews to allow an expansion of meanings and to identify objectification and setting processes. The research involved 298 adolescents from Medellín and Armenia.

Results:

The core social representation for Armenia, is suggested by the word “stage”, while, in Medellín, is “responsibility”. Although, taking into account that there are many shared elements in relation with core social representations corresponding to each city, there is a fundamental difference related to a future perspective; this is because while for adolescents in Medellín is possible to project life into adulthood, for teenagers from Armenia present time prevails and there is no delimitation for the end of adolescence.

Conclusions:

Social representations related to adolescence is organized around the idea of transition with multiple changes. In this process, the relationship with family and friends become fundamental. The experience of adolescence is not considered universal; it is because the adolescent’s socioeconomic status, economic level of a city where those adolescents live and also, the possibilities for development offered in a specific context, give a differential character to the way adolescence is represented and experienced.

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