Professional Documents
Culture Documents
• Chapter 10 –How does body image affect attitudes and behaviors of teens?
with both physical and body image which directly effects their self-esteem, and ideas
Another study conducted by Sussman et al., 2003 espouses the fact that early maturing
boys and girls often experience more psychological stress invariably due to sexual
pressures. Additionally, early maturation also puts this group at odds because they are
not able to discuss body changes with their peers. Based on the previous mentioned
studies, both early and late physical development have both advantages and
disadvantages; however, late physical maturation yields more benefits in the end since
In teaching middle school, I can see a direct correlation with both studies. For
example, I know several late maturing students whom appear more stable, confident and
focused on school work while early maturing students do appear to engage in more
One of the biggest complaints the early maturing girls and boys have stems directly
from relationship issues. During adolescence, kids who mature at an early age feel
somewhat embarrassed.
As an early maturing female, I can recall the implications of the negative pressures.
Most boys were only enamored by body parts, and not necessarily intellect. There was a
certain level of uncertainly as I was not able to talk to many girls who experienced the
P. Bell © August 2006 2
Professor Price Dallas Baptist University
same level of physical maturity. I felt that this caused some disadvantages for me
because I was quiet and I felt somewhat awkward due to early maturation.
In addition, there was an onset of acne problems that were directly related to the early
maturation which caused more disconnected feelings. Some of the acne subsided as
years passed. Eventually, I began to feel more confident as my acne resolved and my
Today, this is still the case with many students. Boys or girls who mature fast often
times pick up extra body fat and this can also make them feel uneasy with their physical
appearance. Not to mention, the TV advertisements and the pressures for both males and
females to look perfect. Today, the pressures are even greater and the only way to cope
is to build a stronger inner personality or spiritual self to manage one’s feelings about
Juvenile delinquency takes in to account many factors such as identity versus identity
confusion, social reference groups, parenting styles, and parent allies. In the scheme of
things, Erickson’s Psychosocial stages best articulate specific psychosocial stages that
Erickson’s stages also demonstrates when there are abnormalities during the early
stages those abnormalities may re-surface later as the individual strives to meet social
needs. For example, if a child was sexually abused as early as five years of age, the
identity vs. confusion stage which occurs during adolescent years may bring on the desire
to understand and explore the misunderstood sexual desires. In addition, suppose a child
P. Bell © August 2006 3
Professor Price Dallas Baptist University
observes parents and peers with drug addictions; this too may also lead to an adolescent
In both cases, there are early influences that were dealt with later as the individual
How does this all fit together with juvenile delinquency. Delinquent behaviors often
time start early. Warp and perversion often starts early. Poor choices, and negative
decision making often starts early which means juvenile delinquency starts early. Most
teenagers don’t become delinquents over night. They tend to have trouble paths and have
Here is the good news. It is important to have a positive support system in order to
minimize some of the drama that teenagers experience during the identity vs. confusion
stage. I have known a number of individuals that grew up in a bad environment with
parents on drugs, friends on drugs, and not to mention their poor behaviors; yet, through
early interventions such as active church affiliation, boys clubs, a positive mentor, or a
caring teacher or counselor can rehabilitate a not so good situation. While there may be
some that still choose the wrong path, many can be saved with the right amount of
investment.
In the end, many teenagers sometimes loose their way. However, as long as there are
caring people that give back, society will always help correct the ills and the wrongs.
This is a very interesting subject that gives a great deal of credence to Maslow’s
Hierarchy of needs which espouses that individuals must meet certain needs in order to
P. Bell © August 2006 4
Professor Price Dallas Baptist University
reach their ideal state – self actualization. In essence, it means one has to meet
physiological needs, safety needs, love needs, esteem needs, and eventually on to self-
actualization.
intimacy, passion, and decision/commitment. During the early 20th century, most
individuals were fixed on commitment with their sexual partner. They believed it was
important to court and date and it was a much more complicated process when sexual
relationships were a part of the relationship. Somehow over the years and with the
introduction of more sexual freedom through the use of technology with birth control and
condoms, people have changed their perspectives on love and relationship. Mostly,
people believe that relationships are formed by first getting to know each other physically
instead of mentally.
marry. People are treating each other like disposable paper towels; they use them up
physically and emotionally and throw away the relationship with little or no cares.
This illegitimate sexual behavior has brought with it many other issues such as an
increased number of single parents, rise in abortions and divorce rates. Not to mention,
people are abandoning emotional commitment and replacing the old traditional courtship
with a casual friendship. What was intended and meant to be an exclusive relationship
to late twenties. In some cases, for career minded such as future doctors or lawyers,
Who knows why sexual behaviors evolved to less or little commitment from partners?
Perhaps, the trend of birth control and condoms along with society on the move seeking
for expression and birth control measures perpetuated an attitude that gave some
individual a false sense of security when it came to sex, and having offspring.
Hence, even more reason for people to explore love in all the wrong places and forget
about their values as sex became more readily assessable in this fast paced society.
On the other hand, we must remember that even with the shift from the 20th century to
today there are still individuals who prefer a monogamous relationship with a high level
of commitment, and there are many who practice abstinence until they are married as
well as arranged marriages in certain cultures which are all plusses when it comes to
In the end, we can’t cave in to the distorted sexual behaviors today. The monster that
today’s media, technology, expression of freedom, and birth control have created can all
be eradicated with the blood of Jesus. No, it is not a perfect world, but yet we can strive
• Chapter 17 – In what ways is old age very much what an individual makes of it?
Sure old age brings on a decline in physical and mental tenacity. According to
Hedrich & Ryff, 1993, older people will often times compare their health issues to others.
P. Bell © August 2006 6
Professor Price Dallas Baptist University
Additionally Hedrich & Ryff believe that individuals feel better as they acknowledge that
While this may be true, I have the pleasure of knowing a formidable grandmother who
continues to prove that age is just another number. She is currently 72 years of age and
Yet, somehow through the dialysis, diverticulitis, arthritis, and all of the medicines,
she appears cheery and happy. When we are out on an excursion, she keeps up with the
group and loves to stay on the go. Her efforts to remain in church as well as continue to
participate in family gatherings keeps her moving, and she is forever showing us that a
Hospice care was first introduced to the United States in the early 1970’s and the big
push was to care for patients rather than cure patients. I have mixed feelings when it
comes to hospice because I know all too well that it depends on the caretaker’s
personality and stamina. Sometimes the hospice nurse is caring and invigorating and
Recently, my uncle died due to complications from West Nile disease and kidney
failure. He suffered a long time and eventually the hospital told him there was nothing
else they could do. Over time he had a few hospice nurses to come in and assist with
minimal patient care. I say minimal because they would only wipe him down, and give
him some medications. Yet, my uncle required around the care attention.
Who was responsible for his care the rest of the time? Surely, my 72 year old
grandmother was not the one to subscribe to this level of patient care. I don’t know
P. Bell © August 2006 7
Professor Price Dallas Baptist University
where she found the strength to help, but she did. As the hospice nurse would leave, my
grandmother would step in and assume care for my uncle. The other children would
come by and help from time to time. Also, Uncle Johnny would help when he got home
from work. There were not enough hands or hours in a day. Yet, the family pulled
I do believe hospice does have some benefits, but the program does have a long way
to go as it relates to full patient care. There are some families that lack support and
patients do tend to suffer more because terminal illness requires a great deal of interest
and care.