Adolescence & the human individual Essay Example for Free

Adolescence the human individual Essay During childhood, children basically accept parental authority (Smentana, 1989) and an equilibrium is established in which parents largely determine and control relationships with their children within a context of acceptance and availability (Steinberg and Silverberg, 1986). However, in the state of approaching adolescence and especially during puberty, parent-child relationships are transformed in a number of ways (Collins, 1990). These changes entail increased assertiveness by both parents and children, decreased perceptions of acceptance, inhibited communication, increased incidence of conflictive exchanges, decreased expressions of physical affection and positive feelings among family members, and adjustments in the amount and kind of influence that children exert in family decision making. Difficulties with communication derive in part from sensitivities and embarrassment associated with pubertal changes and this, combined with the adolescents socio-cognitive development and querying of the inequalities in the parent child relationship, often result in tensions and heated exchange (Hill, 1988). Most families, while they sustain close bonds during childrens teenage years, experience such an escalation of conflict, particularly during the early stages of adolescence. Although much of the conflict has been described as mild bickering, disagreements and conflicts over everyday issues and emotional stress during early adolescence (Smetana, 1988), its effects can be debilitating. The role of parents is made more difficult by the legal and status ambiguity of the adolescent period. In todays society, adolescence is an indeterminate period of transition with no rite of passage to mark the distinction between childhood and adulthood. It has been suggested that this has detracted from the capacity of some young people to function as successful adults (Campbell and Moyers, 1988). There is a lack of clarity in the status and legal rights of adolescents which sends confusing messages to parents and teenagers in their relationships with each other. However, several writers have suggested that these apparent perturbations in relationships may serve the positive function of facilitating adolescents independence and diminishing dependence on parents. Via conflicts, family members allow themselves to express distinctive and separate views (Grotevant and Cooper, 1986). It is true that during adolescence, a boy or girl must break, or at least loosen, the ties that bind him or her to home and parents. However, one should not assume that the complete break with, or indifference towards parents or open conflicts with them are a sign of maturity. Quite the contrary is true. Release from home authority is necessary, but revolt is probably not, although a proportion of each adolescent generation leaves home completely as a result of familial conflicts (Henricson and Roker, 2000). For the majority of youth, while once dependent upon their parents, adolescents begin to substitute their friends as the centre of their lives. The centrality of friends and friendship in the life of adolescents has been frequently stressed. It has been claimed that friendships are the most prominent features of the social landscape during adolescence and acceptance by peers generally, and especially having one or more close friends, may be of crucial importance in a young persons life (Coleman and Hardy, 1990). Friendship among adolescents fulfils important tasks, such as providing much of the social context that allows proper performance of actions which will be accepted and rewarded by the peer group, strengthening the self and reaffirming its worth and value. Adolescents use the peer group to express their divided feelings and incoherent images in accordance with their emotional needs and to reinforce their behaviour as they conform to peer norms and behaviour styles (Tatar, 1995). Adolescents perceive popularity and attainment of social status among peers as beneficial and positive, reflecting their desirability as a friend. Adolescents also form larger, more loosely organised groups called crowds. Unlike the more intimate clique, membership into the crowd is based on reputation and stereotype. Whereas the clique serves as the main context for direct interaction, the crowd grants the adolescent an identity within the larger social structure. Adolescents are very aware of the differential social status conferred upon different groups, and this knowledge can affect self-evaluation: categorisation of the self as a member of an unpopular or lower status group can be detrimental to feelings of self-worth and self-esteem (Denholm, Horniblow, and Smalley, 1992). Susceptibility to peer pressure is reported to peak between the ages of twelve to sixteen years (Tarrant, North, Edridge, Kirk, Smith, and Turner, 2001). Peer conformity is a complex process that varies with the adolescents age and need for social approval and with the situation. Adolescents reported that they felt greatest pressure to conform to the most obvious aspects of peer culture, such as, dressing and grooming like everyone else and participating in social activities. Although peer pressure toward misconduct peaked in early adolescence, it was relatively low compared with other areas (Brown, Lohr, McClenahan, 1986). Due to their greater concern with what their peers think of them, early adolescents are more likely than younger or older individuals to give in to peer pressure. Although, when parents and peers disagree, even young adolescents will not consistently rebel against their families. Instead, parents and peers differ in their spheres of greatest influence. Parents have more impact on adolescents basic life values and educational plans, while peers are more influential in short-term, day-today matters, such as type of dress, taste in music, and choice of friends (Berk, 2000).

Comparing Henrik Ibsens Enemy of the People and Kurt Vonneguts Slaugh

Science, Technology and Human Values in Henrik Ibsen's Enemy of the People and Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five Every day I use technology and science, from the allergy pill I take to my cell phone and my Apple watch, technology is a vital part of my day. Are the human values of integrity, honesty and kindness a part of my everyday life, though? Everyone wants to believe they are a good person, but there are so many things in life that aren't good or positive at all, it is apparent that people-who want to think they are good-do mean things. Some of the worst things are done with some of the best intentions, with the idea that the ends justify the means. Science can improve several things, like one's life expectancy, but can it improve the quality of life? Science without morals to support it can be a dangerous thing. This is seen in several of the works we have read this semester, including Henrik Ibsen's Enemy of the People and Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five. In Enemy of the People, we see that science and technology are at the mercy of those who hold power, in this case, political power. Dr. Stockmann has discovered, through the use of science, that there is a problem with the economic center of the town-the baths. It is not Dr. Stockmann's use of science that questions the compatibility of science and human values, but his bother, Peter Stockmann's use of technology. Peter is able to control the newspaper, and therefore popular opinion, away from Dr. Stockmann (Act 3). The newspaper is a form of technology that allows news of many events to reach the common person. However, this holds a lot of responsibility with it. Whoever is in charge of what goes in the paper has the ability to shape public opi... ... difficult to include morals in decision-making. It is so much simpler not to think of the consequences of one's actions. However, if everyone were to do this, society would quickly disband. People need to start thinking of their actions as having consequences that affect more than just themselves, and that they must keep this in mind when making decisions. Critical thinking is difficult, and it's not the most pleasant thing, but as Plato has Socrates say in the Apology, "The unexamined life is not worth living" (West & West, 92). Unless we incorporate human values into science and technology, we will be living a life not worth living. Works Cited Lippmann, Walter. The Public Philosophy. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 2000. West, Grace S., Thomas West. Texts on Socrates: Plato and Aristophanes. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998.

Rutgers

Talent Search Rutgers Essay Visiting Rutgers university on November 5th, 2013 was definitely a great experience as well as an eye opener for me. From touring the dfferent campus, getting an inside look in one of the Residence Halls and actually sitting and eating lunch In a setting filled with actual college students, the experience was surreal. Vlsltlng Rutgers motivated me to seek better for myself so that hopefully I can attend there or somewhere like it. With that said, there are many factors that come In to play hen considering me being able to go to Rutgers University.What can I study? One of the best things about Rutgers Is that It offers over a hundred different majors, and holds thousands of courses. When I get Into college I would Ilke to study Sports Management with a minor In Marketing. Luckily, Rutgers does offer a Bachelors degree In sports Management and Instead of minoring In Marketing: I could make it a major as well and be a â€Å"double major†. An opportunit y like that is breath taking and definitely caught my attention.Although Rutgers doesnt ffer my major beyond a bachelor's degree, like masters or doctorates, Rutgers is an accredited university so another college with a Sports Management master's program would greatly accept my bachelor's degree from Rutgers. Is Rutgers worth the cost? With such large and diverse campuses, Rutgers is a bit pricey. Although paying to attend may be very expensive, to me it's a risk worth taking. Rutgers diversity along with its academic profile suggests that it is one of the top tier colleges across the nation.Also, Rutgers has so much more to offer than just cademics. With 400 student groups, Division 1 athletic programs, and the state's most extensive network of research labs, RIJ definitely sets the bar very high. Hopefully with a helping hand from Financial Aid, Rutgers cost will be a little less expensive so that I can cover all costs. Can I get in? That's the million dollar question. Based on th e different requirements and things that come in to play when the office of admissions chose who they would like to see at their school, I think I have a fair shot.With my SAT cores and my personal statement, hopefully I stand out in a way that would help me get accepted. Rutgers university is definitely a great choice for me personally. Although It has been on my college list, the tour definitely assured Its position. With Just a few hours' worth of being there I could only Imagine what It would be like to be there full time. Hopefully, Rutgers university Is In my future! Rutgers By hochoyt Visiting Rutgers University on November 5th, 2013 was definitely a great experience as well as an eye opener for me.From touring the different campus, unch in a setting filled with actual college students, the experience was surreal. Visiting Rutgers motivated me to seek better for myself so that hopefully I can attend there or somewhere like it. With that said, there are many factors that come in to play What can I study? One of the best things about Rutgers is that it offers over a hundred different majors, and holds thousands of courses. When I get into college I would like to study Sports Management with a minor in Marketing. Luckily, Rutgers does offer a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management and instead of minoring inMarketing; I could make it a major as well and be a â€Å"double major†. An opportunity like that is breath taking and definitely caught my attention. Although Rutgers doesn't top tier colleges across the nation. Also, Rutgers has so much more to offer than Just Rutgers University is definitely a great choice for me personally. Although it has been on my college list, the tour definitely assured its position. With Just a few hours' worth of being there I could only imagine what it would be like to be there full time. Hopefully, Rutgers University is in my future!

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