Chapter 8 & 9

First, I want to start off with saying, “It is a wonder that any of us make it through adolescence.”

Chapter 8: Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence

Reading through this chapter it reminded me of what a tough time this was for me, and how much I didn’t know about the process. With my son quickly growing up I am grateful to have the chance to have a better understanding. As the text went through the pubertal changes I was quick to note the physical changes that await my son such as; reproductive organs  (primary sex characteristics), facial hair ( secondary sex characteristics) and of course spermarche, which my husband will have the job of dealing with that discussion. Health issues are a big topic in my household , due to how many sports my son is involved in. . Over the past few months he has begun to , on his own, be involved in more physical activity to prepare him for the up coming changes to his body, and being more aware of  his nutritional intake.  He enjoys the competition in sports and also the accomplishment of practice and learning new friends. He has several times been praised for his good sportsmanship, he is one who just enjoys playing. “Winning is great’” he says to me, “but it’s not everything. I just like to have fun.”  As the text states boys need a little extra iron and calcium intake for their developing muscles, I started daily vitamins for him years ago but after reading this I checked the amount of iron and calcium he was receiving and noted that the children’s vit. I give him hardly have any calcium and iron supplements in them. So I called my family MD and he recommended a new one which we have started yesterday. Cognitively I do see him processing information differently, he stops and thinks more often before he answers a question. He has become more diligent about making sure he does his 30 minutes of reading daily to keep his skills improving for next school year, middle school I am very lucky to have such a wonderfully amazing son.

Chapter 9; Socioemotional Development in Adolescence

As I had issues with self-esteem and my identity through these rough stages, I hope that my experience will allow me to give my son the advice to hopefully make the right choices. I remember going through these stages with my daughter where, I knew absolutely nothing about being a teenager and what she was going through, (adolescent egocentrism). We have come to an agreement now that she is a bit older and  married , that I do know a little bit more about life than her. We still butt heads quit a bit but she has grown to be a her own person and I am extremely proud to be her mom. I fortunately did not have to deal with her being into drugs and alcohol. She was and continues to be a part of a youth group, which I feel has helped her deal with many issues dealing with her adolescence. We of course had our dealing with dating and boys, and the breaks up where she swore she would never love another, which she did and was married to that love last Aug. The text discussed working and the effects it can have both positive and negative on an adolescent. My daughter starting working a an NAC at the age of 16, and she did only work 15- 20 hours a week.  She continues to work at the same place today. And although she also went through the make it and spend it phase, I feel that having that sence of accomplishment in making her own money has allowed her to become more financially responsible today. And as for Holland’s personality type theory, my daughter fits her job perfectly. She has always been extraverted and caring, lots of friends. She has always dreamed of a career on the stage as she enjoys expressing herself. I encourage her to follow that dream with hopes of her accomplishing them.

Last, I wanted to discuss the Current Controversies feature regarding , When Juveniles Commit Serious Crimes, Should They Be Tried as Adults? I think it really depends on the individual. We should of course consider the age of the juvenile, do they have the mental cognitive development to understand why they committed the crime and what the consequences are? Some individuals mature sooner than others. The enviroment in which they were raised should also be considered, moderately. Although some one brought up in a poor community can have wonderful caring parents that taught them right from wrong, they maybe forced by other means to commit a crimes, such a Heinz and his aillig wife. On the other end of the spectrum, you can always have the “rich kid” that commits a crime because he/she believes they are above the law.  Should these two individuals be treated the same way???