During early adolescence, peer group acceptance is very important to an adolescent.
Adolescents want as friends those whose interests and values are similar to theirs, who understand them and make them feel secure, and in whom they can confide problems and discuss matters they feel they cannot share with their parents or teachers.
While adolescent emotions are often intense, uncontrolled, and seemingly irrational, there is generally an improvement in emotional behavior with each passing year. Emotional maturity is said to have been achieved if the individual does not "explode", have temper tantrums, or sulk when disappointed.