Carl Fleischer Case Study Essay

Adolescents are very unlikely to reach their full potential without the guidance of an adult figure, such as a mother, father, sibling, or guardian. Adult figures are essential to a growing child because they exemplify decision making, wisdom, and overall life lessons on how to grow up. Although some children do have an adult figure in their life, they aren’t always the best influences for their children, adults also face their own battles which can reflect upon their exterior, ultimately having a critical effect on a child’s development. For example, in “Running with Scissors” by Augusten Burroughs, the main character Augusten lives with his mother who suffers from a mental disorder who guides him into a pathway of chaos and disorder. Augusten learns to cope with no guidance, but still faces many issues that could have been resolved with a reassuring adult figure.

Adolescence is popularly known to be a very tumultuous stage in a person’s life. In the adolescent stage (also coined the identity vs. role confusion stage by theorist Erik Erikson) bodies are changing rapidly, emotions are unfamiliar and unexplainable, and refraining from succumbing to peer pressure is more challenging than ever.

In order to illustrate a key stage in the life course, I will be looking at the area of adolescence because I believe that this is one of the most critical life stages, with so many immense transitions young people go through. I have chosen to focus on adolescence because of a commitment to working with these vulnerable individuals aged from 14 to 19. We can no doubt all reflect on wrong choices we felt we made in our adolescence, and how our education and employment prospects may have benefited from good advice at this crucial juncture in life. I want to be able to guide vulnerable adolescents in the right direction and help them make the right choices, by understanding their needs, and supporting them in practical ways to live fulfilling and independent lives. From personal experience, I sincerely believe that with the right kind of guidance and attention, troubled teenagers can get back on track.

The Biological aspects of adolescence is a period of great physical change, marked by a rapid growth spurt, the maturation of the reproductive system and continuing brain development. Adolescence are confronted with all kinds of changes within themselves mentally and physically as well as changes in how the outside world perceives them (Hutchison, 2015, pp 228). These changes can be difficult to handle if the adolescence struggles with a difficult home live, abuse or neglect. It is easy to see that Charlie is having a difficult time as a freshman in high school. He seems introverted, into his books and maybe a little bit socially awkward. He is having a difficult time making friends. He also seems nervous

Adolescence describes the transitional stage in a teenager’s life, from childhood to adulthood, where an individual evolves physically, psychologically, emotionally, cognitively and socially. It is a defined social category that is expressed through immaturity and unpredictability and allows an individual to learn and discover their sense of self and identity. The idea of adolescence came into perspective after children were expected to take on adult roles as soon as they were mature enough to, going straight from puberty to adulthood. As society changed and moulded, so did the ideas about life stages, which is evident in Erikson’s theory.

Every single day, the average human will make thousands of decisions; most will help them become who they want to be, while others will take them toward trouble. In 1990, the Search Institute released a list of 40 Developmental Assets that young adults need in order to develop into contributing members of society. Some of which are in the individual’s control, while others aren’t. John Conlan, a character in the novel The Pigman by Paul Zindel, is a sophomore attending Franklin High who hates school and has an abusive father, but is noticeably “handsome.” After meeting a man named Angelo Pignati, things start to brighten up for him. Although John is not always Honest, he is still able to maintain a Positive Peer Influence with Lorraine Jensen

Within the case study “Carl’s Struggle for Identity” the focal client system is Carl for purpose of this paper. Cultural, social, gender, self, and sexual identity are reoccurring themes throughout the period of adolescence. This client system internalizes and attempts to modify those themes, adapting positively or negatively to social transactions. Carl’s incorporates labels like “fatso, underachiever, and head” into his social identity, because his doctor and the generalized other or “everyone” else deemed them to be true. The search for individualization throughout the social and family environments is greatly emphasized, with focus on peer, romantic, and sexual interactions (Hutchinson 2008). Defining “who I am” an aspect of Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, Carl searches for individualization within his family environment, but cannot connect similarities or differences he has with his absent father (Hutchinson 2008, pg.). Carl’s desire to have meaningful peer relationships shape his behaviors around drug use and delinquent activity. The lack of structure and emphasis on academics in Carl’s home life and relationships, the client has little or no expectations on school success. Improper food choices, work, heredity, and lack of exercise are contributing factors to Carl’s obesity. Following proper intervention, it would optimal to see Carl interacting positively with peers, allotting more time to his studies and extracurricular, making more cognizant health

In this paper I plan to discuss the developmental stages of adolescence. Adolescents are also referred to as "teenagers" or "young adults." Adolescence begins after the childhood stage and ends right before adulthood. The years of adolescence range from 12 years old to 21 years old. The years of adolescence can be quite a roller coaster ride. Young people in this stage encounter a great deal of changes in their life as they prepare for adulthood. I will discuss emotional, intellectual, physiological, and social domains of development and how it relates to adolescents. I will also discuss some helpful tips for teachers to aide in communicating effectively to adolescents and understanding their

First of all, with the use of plot and character as dramatic elements, MacLeod is able to depict the main characteristics of the nature of adolescence, mainly the search for identity and the quest for independence. Among the scientific community, adolescence is believed to be the most crucial period in human development. It is a period of “rapid biological, social and psychological change” (Soto, et al. 330). There are the transformations that define puberty, there are changes in the relationships and attitudes towards adults and peers, and many teenagers struggle to form a coherent identity (331). In the process of discovering their identities, most adolescents become self-centered. Having not yet

Walking into school on my first day of high school, I felt out of place. My face covered in acne, my teeth covered in braces, and the callicks in my hair stuck up through the abnormally thick layer of hair gel that coated them. My middle school social anxiety still ruled over me as I could barely speak with any member of the opposite sex. Yet, I still had an odd confidence about me. I had always been one of the best students in my class, even without ever studying for a test. I viewed high school as a slight uptick from the curriculum I had easily passed in middle school. I was wrong. High school exists as a microcosm of society, in which I originally failed to acclimate myself to the challenges posed to me in a setting of increased

S (2011), adolescence involves two significant transition points: the transition to early adolescence from childhood (ages 11-14 years) and the transition from late adolescence to adulthood (ages 18-21 years) (p.312). Authors Lesser, J.G., & Pope, D. S (2011) further explained that no other period of the life cycle, expect infancy, allows such rapid biologically, psychologically, cognitively and sociocultural changes. (p. 313). The assessment and exploration of theories paint a clear picture of Jon’s sexual status. Jon is concern about his appearance and skips school to be with his girlfriend. According to Lesser, J.G., & Pope, D. S (2011), friendships may reflect the adolescent’s status and reputation (p.321). In Jon’s case, this confirms his ability to attract romantic partners or be acceptable outside the

Marie’s adolescence can be applied to certain aspects of biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development, such as drug abuse, having an imaginary audience, and suicide ideation.

Meanwhile, due to Logan’s age I was able to question his performance in school and how it was relative to his peers. Logan continued to explain, “I was nervous and do not talk much.” As I continued to investigate I asked about how well he performs in school. He replied with, “it is hard for me to study and focus,” due to his anxiety and stress (R, Logan). Afterward, I asked, compared to his peers, he told me he “feels left out because other students finish homework or tests before me.” He also stated, “I am always the last one” (R, Logan). These statements concerned me. Although, a bright child, I understood Logan is feeling anxiety and feeling alone, something that is clearly affecting the teen.

Adolescence is the distinct transitional stage between childhood and adulthood in human development, extending primarily over the teenage years and terminating legally when the age of majority is reached (Rathus, 2014). However in some instances, this biological, cognitive, social and emotional maturity may not be reached until a later stage and may be dictated by gender. Adolescence is characterised by rapidly changing and unpredictable behaviour (Freud, as cited in Rathus 2014), heightened and unstable emotions (Hall, as cited in Rathus 2014), disturbances in identity, the gradual development of one’s moral reasoning (Kohlberg, as cited in Rathus, 2014) and the gradual establishment of one’s independence. Several of these changes may occur at differing phases in adolescent growth. This development is categorized into three separate stages; early adolescence, middle adolescence, and late adolescence. Early Adolescence, commencing from the ages of eleven or twelve until the age of fourteen, comprises of several features such as rapid biological development and maturity, heightened stress levels and limited coping capabilities. On the other hand, middle adolescence, from the approximate age of fourteen to sixteen, involves the gradual cease of biological change, an increase in coping strategies and declined stress levels. Furthermore, late adolescence, commencing from the age of sixteen until the age of eighteen or nineteen, encompasses physical maturity, whereby the

During high school, many teenagers come across different struggles which some can lead to a loss of identity, confusion and change of character and personality. As individuals, we grow up and come against different obstacles which have a huge influence on us and who we grow up to be. Adolescent stage is a period of storm and distress which Louw and Louw (2014) define as the period through which a transition from childhood to adulthood takes place, it can also be seen as a bride for development. We develop different characteristics in each and every objection we come across. In this assignment, I’ll be focusing on my reflection about my past experience in a deeper and richer dimension whilst using certain aspects which will help me make a richer meaning of my experience.