Task 1:
The chart that I just read makes perfect sense. I don't think anybody could better explain the different stages of adolescence. My life as a 12-14 year old boy matches up perfectly with what the chart says. I know that when I was that age, all I wanted to do was hang out with friends. I always thought that having a lot of friends was one of life's main goals.. I surrounded myself with friends and rarely gave time to my grandparents and siblings. I wanted to get out of the house as much as possible. Not to mention I was constantly arguing with my Grandpa. During middle adolescence I too, was concerned about my body image. Ever since I hit 15 years old, my physical appearance has been one of my main focuses. After I got into trouble I was forced to switch schools. I had no choice but to pursue my high school career as a freshman alone with no friends in what seemed like a foreign land. For some reason I began to become less social and to this day I still cant figure out why. I saw people with nice clothes and it seemed like they had everything they could ask for. I wanted that, so I began to dress nice in hopes of fitting in more. Right now I am in the stage of late adolescence and still, everything mentioned in the chart lines up with my life right now. I still take pride in caring for my body, but I wouldn't say I'm concerned about my physical appearance. I am however, beginning to lean more so on my family than on my friends. My circle is getting smaller as I begin to realize that family and close-knit relationships are more important. I constantly find myself pondering the thought of my future and what I'm going to do with my life. This is very annoying and I wish I could just live life, but it keeps happening.
The chart that I just read makes perfect sense. I don't think anybody could better explain the different stages of adolescence. My life as a 12-14 year old boy matches up perfectly with what the chart says. I know that when I was that age, all I wanted to do was hang out with friends. I always thought that having a lot of friends was one of life's main goals.. I surrounded myself with friends and rarely gave time to my grandparents and siblings. I wanted to get out of the house as much as possible. Not to mention I was constantly arguing with my Grandpa. During middle adolescence I too, was concerned about my body image. Ever since I hit 15 years old, my physical appearance has been one of my main focuses. After I got into trouble I was forced to switch schools. I had no choice but to pursue my high school career as a freshman alone with no friends in what seemed like a foreign land. For some reason I began to become less social and to this day I still cant figure out why. I saw people with nice clothes and it seemed like they had everything they could ask for. I wanted that, so I began to dress nice in hopes of fitting in more. Right now I am in the stage of late adolescence and still, everything mentioned in the chart lines up with my life right now. I still take pride in caring for my body, but I wouldn't say I'm concerned about my physical appearance. I am however, beginning to lean more so on my family than on my friends. My circle is getting smaller as I begin to realize that family and close-knit relationships are more important. I constantly find myself pondering the thought of my future and what I'm going to do with my life. This is very annoying and I wish I could just live life, but it keeps happening.
Task 2:
Talking to Teens: Adolescence and the Myth of Independence
This article is all about teenagers and how they discover the myths of independence. Towards the beginning of this article, the author talks about early childhood. He explains that even that a young age we begin to realize that our parents aren't going to be by our side when we need them. He also states that we begin to see some of the illusions that life has on us, like the Tooth Fairy or Santa Clause. He is saying that we learn about disappointment at a young age. The author then goes on to say that as we get older, we realize the myths of independence can be the most disappointing of all. As we enter the transition from parental dependence to independence we begin to realize what the world really is. We begin to realize the responsibility that is territorial with independence.
I have to say that this article was everything that I expected. I myself, am in this very transition. After many long talks and lectures from my caseworker I have learned about how the world really works. Bills, insurance, car payments, groceries, laundry. I believe that we take many of these things for granted. Numerous times have I seen a young adult leave the realm of fostercare only to enter the real world and buckle under all of the pressure. I would like to say I'm ready...but only time will tell.
Pickhardt, C. (2012, January 21). Adolescence and the Myth of Independence. Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201201/adolescence-and-the-myth-independence
Mental Health in High School: Procrastination; How Adolescents encourage stress.
This article talks about two kinds of procrastination; resistant procrastination and refusal procrastination. The author explains that teenagers have a tendency to add stress to their lives by procrastinating. In the act of resistant procrastination, the person will put something off until the last minute, usually rushing to get it done. If somebody were to engage in the act of refusal procrastination, they would put something off and never get it done. We learn that procrastination can be started during the beginning of early adolescence. Because procrastination has the potential to be deeply rooted, it becomes a hard habit to break. This becomes even more of a problem if it is not fixed by the time the individual becomes independent. The reason being is because the individuals parent's aren't around to make sure they get things done. The article then explains that procrastination leads to a shorter amount of time to make deadlines, thus creating stress.
I agree with this article one hundred percent. I'm a procrastinator my self, and I know the feeling of needing to get something done in so little time because of my procrastination. Just look at me even today, I'm writing this journal that should have been done months ago. And because I didn't do the things that I was supposed to do, I'm graduating by a hangnail. I have to say this is one of the most stressful times in my life.
Pickhardt, C. (2009, June 21). Procrastination: How Adolescents Encourage Stress. Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/200906/procrastination-how-adolescents-encourage-stress
Sex and Drugs: Gone Baby Gone
This article is mainly about sex. Mr. Wallace talks about sex at a young age and the many dangers it brings. He states that teaching kids about not only sex, but the repercussions of sex, at a young age is vital. He then goes to say that the talk about the 'birds and the bees' may be highly uncomfortable to both the parents and the child, but its necessary. Over half of teens that are provided parental guidance in regards to sex claim to stay away from sexual activity.
This article hits close to home in a way. Growing up in Wyoming, a neighboring city of Grand Rapids, I was lucky enough attend a school that is highly diverse. Because of this, I had the opportunity to see a variety of different viewpoints on this topic. And of course, growing up as a young, immature middle-schooler, all we talked about was sex. I've heard a variety of things, people saying they don't want to engage in sexual activity at all all the way to devoted abstinence. Some people just didn't care, they believe that if it happens, it happens. As I began to get older and transition from middle school to high school things began to change. There have been girls that were impregnated and couldn't attend school because of it. Not to mention, even if they did show up, which was rare, they barely did anything. There have been teenage boys who take their life because they can't deal with the reality of becoming a father at such a young age. Repercussions of sex equate to more than physical consequences. There are also mental, financial, and social consequences.
Wallace, S. (2013, August 9). Gone Baby Gone. Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/decisions-teens-make/201308/gone-baby-gone
Recent Article: Game On
This article is about excessive gaming. A young man was found dead in a Taiwanese Internet Cafe. He died after a three-day gaming binge. The author then explains some of the health risks that are associated with heavy gaming. Some of which are addiction, obesity, stress and even hallucinations. Why are games so addicting? This article states that one of the main reasons is because of the constant rewards while playing the game. Throughout the last five years, the amount of studies on gaming has increased dramatically. There is even a new disorder called Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).
I believe that games do have the potential to be extremely addicting. I do believe that the main reason is because of the constant rewards. The constant rewards that gaming has to offer is simply something that life doesn't have to offer. Gamers get used to the 'high' of beating their new score, or reaching a new level. Both of which are things that can be done in a matter of minutes if you were gaming, but its near impossible to receive a job promotion in a matter of hours. I also believe that this is becoming even more of a problem because of the ever-advancing technology. This means that games are only going to get better..What I want to know is if it also means games are going to become more addicting than they are now.
Griffiths, M. (2015, May 19). Game On. Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-excess/201505/game
Recent Article: What It Takes for High School In-Love Relationships to Last
This article talks about why High School relationships tend to not survive. The author believes that love can only turn into lasting love if a "commitment to grow the relationship into the future is jointly made". Soon enough, the feeling of lust will wear off for one or both parties. Because of this, it can be hard to keep the dedication and commitment it takes in order for a relationship to grow. High School is a very sensitive time for everybody. People are trying to find themselves, and who they are. Engaging in a relationship only makes this harder because you are focusing on somebody else as well. If something were to go wrong in the relationship both individuals may fear that their relationship is no longer perfect and meaningful. The author sums the article up by saying that a teenagers idea of love is almost entirely based off of fairy tales. He believes a teenagers definition of a relationship has to be perfect.
I agree. I can't stress how much I agree enough. I do believe that as lust wears off, so does the relationship. I think that as High Schoolers, we don't see the real idea of a relationship. We think its all about hugs and kisses, as soon as that begins to slow down we begin to get 'bored' with that partner, or perhaps even think that they're not the one for you because of this. I believe that the point of a relationship, aside from being with one another and starting a family, is to better ones self with the help of another individual. Of course, lust, infatuation, marriage, and children come with the territory, but those are just some of the perks.
Pickhardt, C. (2015, May 18). What It Takes for High School In-Love Relationships to Last. Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201505/what-it-takes-high-school-in-love-relationships-last
Talking to Teens: Adolescence and the Myth of Independence
This article is all about teenagers and how they discover the myths of independence. Towards the beginning of this article, the author talks about early childhood. He explains that even that a young age we begin to realize that our parents aren't going to be by our side when we need them. He also states that we begin to see some of the illusions that life has on us, like the Tooth Fairy or Santa Clause. He is saying that we learn about disappointment at a young age. The author then goes on to say that as we get older, we realize the myths of independence can be the most disappointing of all. As we enter the transition from parental dependence to independence we begin to realize what the world really is. We begin to realize the responsibility that is territorial with independence.
I have to say that this article was everything that I expected. I myself, am in this very transition. After many long talks and lectures from my caseworker I have learned about how the world really works. Bills, insurance, car payments, groceries, laundry. I believe that we take many of these things for granted. Numerous times have I seen a young adult leave the realm of fostercare only to enter the real world and buckle under all of the pressure. I would like to say I'm ready...but only time will tell.
Pickhardt, C. (2012, January 21). Adolescence and the Myth of Independence. Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201201/adolescence-and-the-myth-independence
Mental Health in High School: Procrastination; How Adolescents encourage stress.
This article talks about two kinds of procrastination; resistant procrastination and refusal procrastination. The author explains that teenagers have a tendency to add stress to their lives by procrastinating. In the act of resistant procrastination, the person will put something off until the last minute, usually rushing to get it done. If somebody were to engage in the act of refusal procrastination, they would put something off and never get it done. We learn that procrastination can be started during the beginning of early adolescence. Because procrastination has the potential to be deeply rooted, it becomes a hard habit to break. This becomes even more of a problem if it is not fixed by the time the individual becomes independent. The reason being is because the individuals parent's aren't around to make sure they get things done. The article then explains that procrastination leads to a shorter amount of time to make deadlines, thus creating stress.
I agree with this article one hundred percent. I'm a procrastinator my self, and I know the feeling of needing to get something done in so little time because of my procrastination. Just look at me even today, I'm writing this journal that should have been done months ago. And because I didn't do the things that I was supposed to do, I'm graduating by a hangnail. I have to say this is one of the most stressful times in my life.
Pickhardt, C. (2009, June 21). Procrastination: How Adolescents Encourage Stress. Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/200906/procrastination-how-adolescents-encourage-stress
Sex and Drugs: Gone Baby Gone
This article is mainly about sex. Mr. Wallace talks about sex at a young age and the many dangers it brings. He states that teaching kids about not only sex, but the repercussions of sex, at a young age is vital. He then goes to say that the talk about the 'birds and the bees' may be highly uncomfortable to both the parents and the child, but its necessary. Over half of teens that are provided parental guidance in regards to sex claim to stay away from sexual activity.
This article hits close to home in a way. Growing up in Wyoming, a neighboring city of Grand Rapids, I was lucky enough attend a school that is highly diverse. Because of this, I had the opportunity to see a variety of different viewpoints on this topic. And of course, growing up as a young, immature middle-schooler, all we talked about was sex. I've heard a variety of things, people saying they don't want to engage in sexual activity at all all the way to devoted abstinence. Some people just didn't care, they believe that if it happens, it happens. As I began to get older and transition from middle school to high school things began to change. There have been girls that were impregnated and couldn't attend school because of it. Not to mention, even if they did show up, which was rare, they barely did anything. There have been teenage boys who take their life because they can't deal with the reality of becoming a father at such a young age. Repercussions of sex equate to more than physical consequences. There are also mental, financial, and social consequences.
Wallace, S. (2013, August 9). Gone Baby Gone. Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/decisions-teens-make/201308/gone-baby-gone
Recent Article: Game On
This article is about excessive gaming. A young man was found dead in a Taiwanese Internet Cafe. He died after a three-day gaming binge. The author then explains some of the health risks that are associated with heavy gaming. Some of which are addiction, obesity, stress and even hallucinations. Why are games so addicting? This article states that one of the main reasons is because of the constant rewards while playing the game. Throughout the last five years, the amount of studies on gaming has increased dramatically. There is even a new disorder called Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).
I believe that games do have the potential to be extremely addicting. I do believe that the main reason is because of the constant rewards. The constant rewards that gaming has to offer is simply something that life doesn't have to offer. Gamers get used to the 'high' of beating their new score, or reaching a new level. Both of which are things that can be done in a matter of minutes if you were gaming, but its near impossible to receive a job promotion in a matter of hours. I also believe that this is becoming even more of a problem because of the ever-advancing technology. This means that games are only going to get better..What I want to know is if it also means games are going to become more addicting than they are now.
Griffiths, M. (2015, May 19). Game On. Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-excess/201505/game
Recent Article: What It Takes for High School In-Love Relationships to Last
This article talks about why High School relationships tend to not survive. The author believes that love can only turn into lasting love if a "commitment to grow the relationship into the future is jointly made". Soon enough, the feeling of lust will wear off for one or both parties. Because of this, it can be hard to keep the dedication and commitment it takes in order for a relationship to grow. High School is a very sensitive time for everybody. People are trying to find themselves, and who they are. Engaging in a relationship only makes this harder because you are focusing on somebody else as well. If something were to go wrong in the relationship both individuals may fear that their relationship is no longer perfect and meaningful. The author sums the article up by saying that a teenagers idea of love is almost entirely based off of fairy tales. He believes a teenagers definition of a relationship has to be perfect.
I agree. I can't stress how much I agree enough. I do believe that as lust wears off, so does the relationship. I think that as High Schoolers, we don't see the real idea of a relationship. We think its all about hugs and kisses, as soon as that begins to slow down we begin to get 'bored' with that partner, or perhaps even think that they're not the one for you because of this. I believe that the point of a relationship, aside from being with one another and starting a family, is to better ones self with the help of another individual. Of course, lust, infatuation, marriage, and children come with the territory, but those are just some of the perks.
Pickhardt, C. (2015, May 18). What It Takes for High School In-Love Relationships to Last. Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201505/what-it-takes-high-school-in-love-relationships-last