Personal Development

Expectations!

• What is the definition of expectations?

• Do we have a lot of different expectations from people in our lives?– What are some roles that you play?

What do you think?

“Teenage Years are a Waste of Time!”

• A radio announcer made this quote referring today as compared to the 1920’s when students were in school until the 8th grade. Then boys went to work in fields and girls raised younger siblings and worked in the house. These tasks gave teenagers a sense of accomplishment and taught them how to work.

• Teenagers today are in school four years longer and “spend too much time and money on frivolous activities or getting into trouble.”

Then what is the purpose of the Teenage Years?

• Four main areas teens should mature:

a. Physical

b. Emotional

c. Mental

d. Social

Developmental Tasks

• The following tasks need to be completed during the teenage years for optimum effect. When these tasks or similar skills are met successfully, contentment and success follow. If these tasks are not completed, the teen will enter adult years without achieving age appropriate maturity levels.

8 Developmental Tasks(page I-A-46)

1. Develop mature relationships with peers of both genders– Begin to appreciate the roles of both men and

woman.

8 Developmental Tasks

2. Adopt a socially approved gender role– Today, sex roles are not carefully defined, you must

be careful when decided what role to adopt.

8 Developmental Tasks

3. Accept your body as it is, and make the most of the body you have. – Most people don’t see themselves as having the

perfect body. Try and make the most of your positive features. To insure health you need to take care of your body.

8 Developmental Tasks

4. Become emotionally independent from parents and other adults.- Learn to make decisions independently from parents and other adults. Relationships adults may be intensified because dependency is replaced with mature friendship. Adults are in the lives of teenagers by choice not necessity.

8 Developmental Tasks

5. Prepare for marriage and family life-First determine personal feelings about marriage and family life. If this is your goal learn about marriage and families.

8 Developmental Tasks

6. Select and prepare for a career- Analyze aptitudes, abilities, talents, and lifestyle standards then asses a career that will fit your personal needs and desires.

Developmental Tasks

7. Adopt priorities in keeping with personal goals and societal expectations-Ask yourself: Who am I? What do I really want? Who do I want to be? Goals keep you progressing in life.

Developmental Tasks

8. Adopt socially responsible behavior-Determine how socially responsible people behave and model their behavior. People will begin to recognize you as a person and not just a “teenager”

Road Maps(page I-A-47)

• What are some goals you have accomplished in your life?

• What do you want to do before high school ends?

• At what age do you want to start a career, family, buy your own house?

• Map out your life!

Uh-OH!!

• Sometimes life throws a curve ball at us.

• What happens when things don’t always go as we plan?

Road Blocks (page I-A-49)

• In normal circumstances, most teens develop into responsible adults, however

• There are conditions that can get in the way of personal development.

• If a traumatic event occurs during teenage years, the teen will be trying to deal with the emotions and other factors and not on developmental tasks.

For example:

• A teen who becomes involved in drugs will become completely dedicated to securing and using the drugs that certain developmental task such as preparing for a career and learning social or communication skills will receive no attention.

• What other ROAD BLOCKS can interfere with development.

ROAD BLOCKS

• A. Crisis level trauma’s– Death of a parent– Parents getting divorce – Death of a sibling, friend, or close family

member– Sever illness; cancer, polio, paralysis, etc.

• B. Living with Abuse– Including; Physical, Emotional, and Sexual

Road Blocks

• C- Teen Pregnancy • D- Drug and/or Alcohol

Abuse• E- Compulsive or

Obsessive Behaviors– Grades – Excelling in Sports– Physical Appearance

Road Blocks and Development

• After the trauma that interrupts development has passed, development will resume where it left off.

• When the initial grief lessens then life begins to move forward again.

• The teen can resume normal activities and continue to develop important tasks.