Who am I? I had to learn that from the time I started junior high school all the way until I graduated from high school. Chapter 8 focuses on the Adolescence phase. From the time they graduate from middle school to when they graduate from high school, teenagers truly struggle mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually during the course of their adolescence. And yes, I did say spiritually. Having the proper spirit will help teenagers make the proper choices. Again, I had to ask the question, "Who am I", because we all have ask that about ourselves during this crazy phase we call adolescence.
When I ask the question, "Who am I", the question that is being asked is what is your state of identity? Psychologists Erik Erickson, James Marcia and John Hill have different views regarding adolescence and how identity is developed. Yet, Erikson and Hill's views relate to an adjustment period I've experience during seventh grade. When my family moved us out to Hazel Crest from Chicago, I used to act like other people in school in order to fit in. It took a young girl that wrote in my seventh grade yearbook to tell me that I'm a nice guy but I would be a great guy if I just be myself. That stuck with me and it took football to help shape my identity when I entered eighth grade. Along with good parenting and watching a quality man named Walter Payton rushing the football for the Chicago Bears, I develop an identity of being special based on my interest. Therefore, I had experienced a case of identity crisis.
Erikson noted on page 194 of LifeSmart, that adolescence is a time of intensive exploration and analysis of ways of looking at oneself. Identity foreclosure, one of four identity statues noted by Marcia, played a part with developing my identity through my parents. My parents instilled confidence in me through karate school and I had enough confidence to participate in other interest like football. As stated in previous blogs, role modeling influences a young person's identity and a young person would have a general idea of their identity as they move into adulthood.
Again, teenagers truly struggle mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually during the course of their adolescence. As they get a handle on these states, they will develop their identity. As a former Superman fan, many of the origin stories focuses on how a young Clark Kent struggled with his true
identity. But it took good parents to let Clark know that he had to be patient with adjusting to his powers and they continued to let him know that he is destined for great things. What this says is that good role modeling, especially from parents, develops the identity of young people. In addition, young people would adapt their talents and gifts to do great things each and every day.
Eddie,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your example of karate giving you the extra confidence to try out for things such as football. The role of parents getting their kids involved at an early age cannot go unmentioned. I feel like high school is the first chance that kids are really put in charge of their own destiny as far as what activities to participate in, what sports (if any) to try, and what friends to hang out with. Personally, my mom was getting me involved in community sports from a very young age, so being involved in extracurricular activities during high school was a no-brainer. However, the kids that I never saw outside of school in junior high were some of the same kids that kept to themselves in high school, and just let it pass them by. Unfortunately, as the text explains, not spending those teenage hours productively results in an increased risk of drug/alcohol pressure and emotional issues.
Eddie, Your posting here reminds me of my 1st blog post....The almighty question...."Who am I?" I to had an adjustment period. It involved my younger sibling going to a public Junior High school while I finished out my 8th grade at a Catholic school. I was always able to say Hi to my brother or see him at lunch...but my parents decided financially that 2 kids in a Catholic school was a little to much for them. Even though I was comfortable where I was, the adjustment was still troubling.....and I stayed at the school. Imagine being in my brother's shoes.
ReplyDeleteI struggled with my identity. I wanted to be the prototypical jock and excel at all sports and hang with the "cool" kids. The sports things I was good with....hanging out with the cool kids didn't work out the way I wanted to. I feel like I can really relate to you in this capacity!
Getting involved is something every parent should do with their kids. it is not predetermining their fate but giving them an opportunity to find out who they really are or put them on the right path. i think a lot of teens go through an identity crisis. without the right guidance and support during this time it can be a dangerous time. thankfully when I was a teenager i had both of my parents who supported me and helped guide me to where i needed to be.
ReplyDelete