Write a 9-12 page (double-spaced) paper describing your own experiences “coming of age” as an adolescent.
You have created portions of this paper in the last few modules. Now it is time to relate what you have reflected upon about yourself to key theories in the course. This is a very important step. The questions below may be helpful in formulating your autobiography of adolescence – but use them as idea builders – not as required parts of your paper.
When do you think your adolescence began? When did it end?
What experiences made the biggest impact on you and your development? What were the high points — and the low points?
Most importantly, how did your identity take shape?
Did you experience an identity crisis, a period of confusion about who you were, what you believed, and where you fit in?
What groups first attracted you in order to develop a group identity?
Who did you identify with as role models and mentors? Did you rebel or conform to your parents and the community’s expectations?
Given what you have read about male and female development, what impact did your biological sex and gender role have on your development? Did you struggle with the issue of sexual orientation? Did you struggle with religious and political beliefs during adolescence?
The goal in this paper is to blend personal narrative — i.e. your story — with analysis. To do well on this paper, it is not enough to simply share your story. You need to actively apply theories and concepts from the course that offer insight into your development during this period.
Please be sure to use information from you reading and learning to support your conclusions and observations. Cite your sources using APA format.