Blog #2

Blog #2 – 2/12/2013

As I was reading and consuming the information in both chapter 2 of the Corey book and the article for this week, I found myself not only reflecting upon my own childhood and adolescence, but also my current personal situation in life which includes my two teenagers (almost 15 & 17).  I actually did two of the suggested activities in Corey (pg. 67), which were to seek out a relative to ask about my early years and to look at some old pictures of my childhood and adolescence.  Both of these activities confirmed what I believe to be true of my experience during those stages of my life, therefore reinforcing my self-concept, and I also learned one or two surprising things about myself as a child.  I definitely had authoritative parents (as identified in the Corey book as a reference from Diana Baumrind).  I remember feeling very loved and secure, but I also knew my parents’ expectations and was given limits.  One piece of information that was of particular interest to me was told to me by my aunt, who I am still very close to today.  She seemed to remember my independent streak as a child and particularly the fact that I always wanted to “do self”, as she recalled me saying.  I feel that my family accepted me for who I was, but definitely did not like all of my behaviors, particularly as an adolescent.  I agreed with the overall premise of the Steinberg article that “adolescents are knowledgeable, logical, reality-based, and accurate in the ways in which they think about risky activity” (Steinberg, 2008, 80) and therefore we as professionals need to rethink our approaches to and considerations of said behavior.  As an involved student, athlete, and member of various clubs and organizations, I was basically too busy to engage in any majorly risky behavior, or even minor risky behavior for any length of time.  This was one of the possible reasons suggested in the article that some adolescents seem to be able to steer clear of much of the “typical” behaviors.

As for my own children, my husband and I have always endeavored to pair discipline with love and acceptance.  I remember more than one occasion during which we explained that while we did not like and would not accept a certain behavior, we would always love and support them as a person.  We are navigating their adolescence as best we can, and I must admit that the Steinberg article helped to give me a new perspective from which to view some of their behaviors.  I will try to keep some of the points made in Steinberg in mind as I continue both parenting and teaching (and hopefully someday counseling) adolescents.  They certainly are whole individuals who deserved to be considered in context (Corey, 41).  I feel very lucky to have had the parents, family, and environment that were mine as I grew.  I hope someday my own children will want to say the same.  All children deserve a loving and secure home in which to learn about themselves and the world.

Corey,G.,& Corey, M.S. (2008). I never knew I had a choice: Explorations in personal growth. (9th ed.). Belmont, California: Thompson Brooks/Cole.

Steinberg, L. (2008). A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Developmental Review, 78-106.