Editing Adolescence (section)

===Belief system development===
Adolescence is frequently characterized by a transformation of an adolescent's understanding of the world, the rational direction towards a life course, and the active seeking of new ideas rather than the unquestioning acceptance of adult authority.<ref name="Lerner 2001 577">{{cite book|last=Lerner|first=Jacqueline V.|title=Adolescence in America: an encyclopedia|year=2001|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, Calif.|isbn=978-1-57607-205-9|page=577|editor=Rosenberg, Richard M.|editor2=Jordan Finkelstein|others=Mark L.|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781576072059|url-access=registration}}</ref> An adolescent begins to develop a unique [[belief system]] through his or her interaction with social, familial, and cultural environments.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lerner|first=Jacqueline V.|title=Adolescence in America: an encyclopedia|year=2001|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, Calif.|isbn=978-1-57607-205-9|pages=577–579|editor=Rosenberg, Richard M.|editor2=Jordan Finkelstein|others=Mark L.|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781576072059|url-access=registration}}</ref> While organized religion is not necessarily a part of every adolescent's life experience, youth are still held responsible for forming a set of beliefs about themselves, the world around them, and whatever higher powers they may or may not believe in.<ref name="Lerner 2001 577"/> This process is often accompanied or aided by cultural traditions that intend to provide a meaningful transition to adulthood through a ceremony, ritual, confirmation, or [[rite of passage]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Lerner|first=Jacqueline V.|title=Adolescence in America: an encyclopedia|year=2001|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, Calif.|isbn=978-1-57607-205-9|page=578|editor=Rosenberg, Richard M.|editor2=Jordan Finkelstein|others=Mark L.|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781576072059|url-access=registration}}</ref>