Final answer:
John's concern that Kevin is increasingly relying on friends' opinions is a normal aspect of adolescent development, with both peers and parents playing influential roles. Despite the growing importance of peers, parents remain a significant influence, especially when it comes to critical decision-making aspects of a teen's life. The answer is option A.
Step-by-step explanation:
John's observation that Kevin is becoming more reliant on the opinions of his friends is reflective of a normal part of adolescent development. During adolescence, it is common for peer groups to gain significant influence as teens work to form their identities and assert their independence. They begin to spend more time with their peers, which provides their first major socialization experience outside their families. Nevertheless, the influence of parents remains substantial, contradicting the myth that teens listen only to their friends. Parents are often reported as the greatest influences on adolescent behavior, particularly in areas such as sexual behavior.
Peers often reinforce existing beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, especially given the emergence of social media, which allows adolescents to select peer groups with common interests and beliefs, potentially creating echo chambers. Still, warm and healthy parent-child relationships are associated with positive outcomes like better grades and fewer behavior problems. In summary, while peers are important, parental influence continues to play a critical role in adolescent development.