Adolescence Sociology, chapter 6 Coyne.cmswiki.wikispaces.net The Individual in Society Socializing the individual Personality as a mixture of nature and nurture Many factors shape development of the individual: cultural environment, heredity, parents, birth order, primary relationships Institutions affect development: the family, peer group, school, mass media Next units - different stages of life – how does the individual develop and change Childhood Most values and social norms are learned during early childhood Adolescence is the life stage between childhood and adulthood The concept of adolescence is not a universal phenomena. It is an invention of modern industrial society. In some parts of the world it simply does not exist. Adolescence Period between the normal onset of puberty and the beginning of adulthood Age and aging are of particular interest to sociologists – roles change though out lifetime Roles when young are expected to be connected to education, middle age is connected to institutions of marriage and family development, Rites of passage mark movement between stages: bar mitzvah , graduation, retirement Age cohorts are those at common stage of life American development Pre-civil war no recognition of adolescence as a distinct stage of life Industrial revolution = development of sociology as a field of study at same time as adolescence was becoming a separate stage of life. Social movements in the United States western society give children greater legal protections and privileges- ex. Progressive movement Education changes Labor law changes Juvenile justice Adolescence in America Prior to 1860s Adolescence did not exist. Children were treated as small adults. Education Children stay in school longer; extended period of dependence Work Laws restricted child labor, also increasing length of dependency Courts Juvenile-justice system legally distinguished between youth and adults Effect Development of adolescence as a distinct life stage between childhood and adulthood Rites of Adolescence Formal ceremonies -education Religion Demonstrations of strength or endurance, tattooing, scarring of skin. Completing these rites of puberty means immediate acceptance into adult society 5 Characteristics 1. Biological growth and development – puberty is a universal characteristic because it is biological not cultural. Body changes in brain and endocrine system. 2. Undefined status – expectations for children and adults are far more clearly defined. Treatment differs by person. Age able to marry – some states 16 with parent consent, others not until 18. 3. Increased decision making – growing sense of independence. Classes, extra curriculars. Team sport White 30.8% African American 32.3% Hispanic 25.8% Asian American 28.3% Cheerleading White 7.4% African American 10.6% Hispanic 6.7% Asian American 5.1% Academic clubs White 25.8% African American 20.7% Hispanic 22.6% Asian American 32.3% 4. Increased pressure – parents make demands, peer pressure, job pressures, relationship pressures. Wish to part of the in-crowd. Billions of dollars are spent on advertising specific to this age group. Roles begin to conflict and the need for independence presents psychological challenges Ex. Jobs 2000 study 44% 16-17 year olds have a job. Gain an income, a sense of responsibility, skills like how to manage money Studies say those who work over 20 hours get less sleep, lower grades, and more likely to use drugs. 5. The search for self – mature enough to decide what want out of life. Most can sort through their values and decide what is really important to them. Develop own personal norms and set priorities for their lives. Anticipatory socialization involves learning the rights, obligations, and expectations of a role to prepare for assuming that role in the future. Dating The meeting of people as a romantic engagement. Found in societies that allow individuals to choose their own marriage partners Some cultures arranged parents are the norm as parents negotiate a formal marriage contract between families Emerged only after WW I as widespread phenomena Courtship & Dating Dating ranges on a continuum from casual dating, progresses to steady dating, then moves on to engagement, and eventually to marriage. Courtship differs in that it’s express purpose is marriage. Not casual, roles very strictly defined. First meet parents and ask permission to court, under close supervision, purpose to find a spouse. Dating develops Rise of industrialization – men no longer on farm where the tradition was to wait for marriage until sufficient property to afford a wife=great age disparities. Urban life left adolescents with greater independence and no expectation of future ‘property’. Free secondary education meant a coeducational environment to develop relationships 1920s and 30s dating culture flourishes on campuses with greater equality for women Early Sociologists study Partners now selected for status characteristics (good looks, popularity, nice clothes) rather than traits of dependability and honesty William Waller studied dating on Penn State campus, fraternities and sororities. Dated persons with equal social rank, social standing, similar looks Rating and dating game – status attainment, attractiveness, tend to marry people who have social characteristics similar to their own Why date? Dating as form of entertainment Form of socialization – teaches about other gender, how to behave in social situations. Helps learn appropriate role behaviors and to define their own self concepts Fulfills basic psychological needs such as conversation, companionship and understanding Helps individuals attain status Allows for spouse selection in later stages Dating patterns Traditional dating patterns – man asks woman out. Makes arrangements. Pays for all the expenses of the evening. Comes to the door (no horn honking!) and meets father. RITUALIZED. Rules were widely known. Accepting date late in the week means less popular. LESSENS STRESS. Amish dating buggy. Contemporary Dating patterns – no set stages for dating. Either ask or pay. Fewer rules means more stress .When is a given behavior appropriate to a developing relationship? Music Pop music develops largely as a result of developing dating trauma Learning group assignment: each learning group will be responsible for finding a song from each of the following eras: 1. the 1950s/early 60s, 2. the late 1960s, 3. the 1970s/80s/90s, 4. 2000 onward. Bring a copy of the lyrics with you on Wednesday. Discussion will describe how each lyric reflects on dating culture and how the norms of dating in music have changed. 1950s/early 60s: It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I Want To, Lesley Gore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsYJyVEUaC4 Late 1960s: These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,Nancy Sinatra http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww&feat ure=related 70s/80s/90s Jesse’s Girl, Rick Springfield http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYkbTyHXwbs 2000+ Someone Like You, Adele http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLQl3WQQoQ0&featur e=related Influence of music videos as additional elements of storytelling with music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA Challenges of Adolescence What are the social problems facing contemporary teenagers? 1980s and 1990s boom in scientific research on the adolescent stage of development What are the causes and consequences of these problems? Teenage sexual behavior Teenage drug use Teenage eating disorders Teenage suicide Sexual activity Traditional American values stem from a Puritan past and Victorian values that include strict norms against premarital sexual activity Some societies permit adolescents to engage in sexual activities before marriage. The Trobrianders of the South Pacific Ocean even encourage it as discussed in your text. 1960s and 1970s see the introduction of the birth control pill and the sexual revolution countering the traditional norms Familiar aspect of American culture, children sexualized earlier, sell products Studies show rise in sexual activity from the 1950s to the 1990s, slow decline after STDs and AIDS- studies show students are aware of risks Birthrates among American teenagers is higher than other industrialized nations Early sexual behavior influenced by family income level, parents’ marital status, religious participation, peer pressure, self concept Consequences Babies born to teen mothers have lower birth raes and are more likely to die in the first year than mothers in 20s Mothers and fathers are less likely to finish school or go on to college Lower lifetime earnings (as a result of education) than those who delay childbearing to later in life More learning disabilities, increased risk of becoming teen parents themselves Stresses of parenting, relationship to parents, significant other, and social judgment Drug Use Any substance that changes mood, behavior, or consciousness. Many forms, legal and illegal. Drug violence and illegal activities Since 1975 Univ. of Michigan Institute for Social Research has conducted an annual survey of HS seniors. 2001 49% tried Marijuana, 8% cocaine, 2% heroin, amphetamines 16%, alcohol 80%, cigarettes 61%. Highest rates of any industrialized country Use of drugs higher amongst hs dropouts Influences Having friends who use regularly Having social and academic adjustment problems Living in a hostile and rejecting family setting Studies show teens recognize the risks of drug use, but low recognition of harms of alcohol use Eating Disorders Eating disorders refer to a group of conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual’s physical and mental health. Bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are the most common specific form Eating disorders are increasing all over the world among both men and women, there is evidence to suggest that it is women in the Western world who are at the highest risk of developing them and the degree of westernization increases the risk. Nearly half of all Americans personally know someone with an eating disorder. Highest risk amongst teen girls. Not all cultures regard thinness as attractive. The people of Fiji have traditionally considered a sturdy rounded figure as ideal. Compliment to tell another they look as if they have gained weight Loss of weight seen as a sign of poor health, low income, low fertility 21st century clash of values as tv was introduced in 1995, reshaping the body introduced as a new concept, new signs of young girl eating disorders Teen Suicide Rate of suicide more than doubled last 3 decades. Third leading cause of death 15-24, after accidents and homicides in America. Personal act that results from psychological factors such as depression, sociologists interested in what social factors influence suicide rates Emile Durkheim classic study Suicide is still the most comprehensive analysis, level of integration in a group or society is key Social integration is the degree of attachment people have to social groups or to society as a whole Very high level of social integration greater risks if put the whole above own concerns. Elderly people of the traditional Inuit society walk off into the snowy wild to avoid being a burden on the group. Very low level of social integration greater risk from rapid social change, natural disasters, sudden changes in economic conditions that loosen group affiliations and bonds. Predictors Alcohol or drug use Typically have low levels of self control and are easily frustrated Under the influence, teens are more likely to act on impulse Use as a method for committing act Triggering events – fear of punishment, rejection by important person, family crisis Age – increased risk with age Sex – 3x more likely to attempt, males more likely to succeed (pills vs. gun) Predictors Population density – under populated areas higher rates, social isolation Family relations-families marked by violence, intense conflict, recent loss of a parent due to death or divorce greater likelihood Cluster effect – copycat phenomena following a highly publicized case