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8.1- rite of passage
My family's tradition follows the rite of passage within the Roman Catholic church. Completion of my first communion, confirmation , reconciliation and penance led me closer to adulthood. Additionally, the requirement to learn the Romanian sermons and language. It is roughly based on grade levels/age but it depends on committment. To contrast with the book, it is fairly close to what I experienced with exception to the social debuts. -
1.1 Entering Adolescence
I believe this is roughly the time I entered adolescence which was in middle to late childhood. My parents divorce had just been finalized. My mother moved to Florida and my father traveled for work. It was a hard transition because emotionally strong as well as pick up the responsibility of house-hold chores. Biologically, I was still a child who had not yet hit her growth spurt or sexual maturation. It was stressful and confusing; not to mention the beginning struggle with identity. -
6.2- Intimacy/Affection
A time where intimacy/affection was applicable was with my childhood bestfriend. When we were younger, there was nothing that was not shared. If it was about a boy, no detail was spared and resulted in analysis. We were able to trust each other immensely and only ever had two fights over the last 10 years. Only during those times did the warmth fade away for a moment and it was a scary feeling. Today, we stil have a close relationship that results in self-disclosure. -
2.1 Early Maturer
The information in the text about early maturation is very close to what I experienced. I had a growth spurt early on and never grew up but only out after that. I developed breasts and hair right around the same time of beginning menstration. I had a lot of problem behaviors being "advanced" than others that results in body image issues. As the book discusses eat disorders, delinquency, independence; I would have fit all of those aspects during this time period. -
3.2 Differentation
I feel as if I have different personas depending on who I am with. To my parents I am friendly and smart. To my relationship I am loving and honorable. To my friends I am cool and well dressed. To myself I feel awkward but normal. I did not always feel that way but it has changed as I haeve gotten older and I understand but still question who I am between different groups. -
3.3 Fluctuations
Sometimes I feel I am happy, excited and the world is just a great place to be, but then at other times I feel sad and I don't belong. I don't understand what is making me feel this way. I love to hang out with my friends and they make me happy but I don't know why sometimes I feel like I don't belong with them even when we have been friends for years. -
6.1- Parent Adolescent Conflict
Growing up, I often had everyday issues with my Dad because he traveled often and was not home but at the same time I was craving the attention of a parent. Thus, I wanted to be independent but not have to take over household duties (i.e. cleaning, laundry, cooking, shopping). My level of idealism was flawed because I had to take over more responsibilty then my peers and the time to reach the logic/understanding of the situation took some time to finally realize the situation my Dad was in. -
7.1- Transition to Highschool
For transition, it was all my same friends from middle to high school and there was a lot of "fluffy" classes that helped us with adjusting that it was not all that independent. My highschool had a low drop out rate as it was primarily non-latino white students. Diversity was not present as students of color was not common and those with disablilities were part of another school specialized for them. My experience was not like the book described as I was mostly home-schooled. -
2.2 Niche Picking
My freshmen year of high-school, I joined the tennis team. To fit my genotype; I had taken all the courses as well as had many hours of practice, not to mention my closest friends were joining the team. It was easily compatible for me but also wanted to take after my mother. She was an all-time player when she was in high-school and was ranked nationally. I felt like I fit in because I could talk the talk and walk the walk. -
3.1- Imaginary Audience
Imaginary Audience was most applicable for during my beginner years of high school. I learned how to use make up and how to dress from my friends and always was worried about the way I looked and how others percieved me. I felt egocentrism often if even my shirt was wrinkled or my make up that day was not the best. I remember checking myself in the bathroom after every course to ensure that I still looked how I hoped. Today, I still worry about those things but at a much lesser capacity. -
6.3 Companionship
During my freshmen year, I played volleyball and had one close teammate that I was able to discuss anything related to the sport. My childhood bestfriend had not taken an interest in the sport and was hard to discuss. Due to the ability to share the love of volleyball and the amount of time we invested, she was a quality friend. Outside of the team, we had some things in common but ultimately our bond came from the collaborative activities of the team. -
4.1- Gender-typed behavior
In high school, there was a student who always sat beside me due to our last names being in alphabetical order. He often was explosively angry and showed severe aggression to his peers. To me, he never behaved this way but I was often able to observe his low self-regulation. I didn't understand at the time that he had family issues and personal issues occuring. I was aware of his personal space and respect to give. Stantrock supports this as males express more anger than females. -
7.3- Intrinsic Motivation
Honors History course was something that was not my strong suit but I was determined to achieve to prove myself that all the studying and doubting will pay off. Motivation often swayed but it lead to the acheivement I was looking for and thats a good grade in the course. Allowing myself to be self-determined led to flow and self-responsibility because I needed to be motivated, pay attention, study and would punish myself if I did not get the grade I wished by increasing the activity. -
4.2- Non-gender typed behavior.
There had been a large group of girls the year before me that were more "thing oriented" and boasted their life. They often bragged about the new fashion items they received or how this guy likes them. They were the school bullies for any females who were not part of their group. There was one leader who reminds me much of Regina George from Mean Girls just with a larger following. Santrock describes this behavior in the book as male oriented. -
1.2 Emerging Adulthood
My 18th birthday is the moment that I realize that I began to enter adulthood. It was my senior year and I was getting ready to apply for college. Biologically, I looked like an adult and acted like one too. (Which was a negative and led me to pass up opportunities and miss out on things with my friends) Socially, I had my closest friends still with me and was optimistic about the future. My independence was roaring but instability was always knocking me down. Smooth transition? Yes and no. -
7.2 Transition to College
The top-dog phenomenon was highly present at the University of Alabama, mainly because of Greeks. Freshmen had many nicknames, and other crude remarks that were made towards them. Aside from socially, courses that were taken were entirely different and more independence was required. It was overwhelming, mostly due to money as social status was often based on that. Additionally, they pressured you to graduate in 4 years not 5 as their requirements often led students to a 5th year.
