Web Exercises

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Web Exercise #1: Depression, Suicide, and LGBT Adolescents

LO 12.1 Summarize the processes by which self-concept, self-esteem, and identity change during adolescence.

LO 12.3 Examine the developmental progression of peer relations in adolescence.

LO 12.4 Analyze patterns of adolescent sexual activity, including sexual orientation.

LO 12:5 Identify common psychological and behavioral problems in adolescence.

Directions: This activity may be done individually or in small groups. Chapter 12 introduces students to the fact that some adolescents are attracted to the same sex or feel as if they are living in a body of the wrong gender. This influences self-conceptions, self-esteem, and identity development in different ways than adolescents who are straight. U.S. citizens have argued for years whether or not same sex marriages should be recognized, and many people continue to stigmatize non-heterosexual relationships. The purpose of this assignment is to explore the difficulties some LGBT adolescents face, the depression it may lead to, and examples of adolescents who committed suicide due to the difficulties. Please watch the following videos and then answer the questions:

Due to the issues outlined above, several organizations have been developed to try to raise awareness of issues LGBT adolescents face and prevent discrimination and bullying.

  1. What were your reactions when watching the above videos?
  2. Do you think schools should do more to stop discrimination and bullying against LGBT students? Why or why not?
  3. What are your suggestions to decrease the suicide rate in LGBT adolescents?

 

Web Exercise #2: Parent-Adolescent Conflict

LO 12.2 Discuss the nature of parent-child relationships in adolescence.

Directions: This assignment can be completed individually. Chapter 12 discusses parent-adolescent conflict. Parents, who are authoritative, have better relationships with their children, and other contexts also influence it. The purpose of this assignment is to further explore parent-adolescent conflict in U.S. children and also cross-cultural.

  1. What advice would you give a mother who complains she is having conflict with her daughter?
  2. Do you think the advice given in the first article would be useful to parents across different cultures? Why or why not?
  3. What are some different themes of parent-adolescent conflict across cultures?

Web Exercise #3: Dating Violence

LO 12.3 Examine the developmental progression of peer relations in adolescence.

Directions: This assignment can be done individually. During adolescence, teens usually experience their first relationship. Your book states that the purpose of first relationships is often simply to have a relationship. However, sometimes teenagers also experience dating violence. The purpose of this exercise is to explore dating violence. Several websites are provided below:

  1. Which statistic stood out to you the most? Why?
  2. What advice would you give to a teenager who is in an abusive relationship?
  3. Why do you think it is hard for some people to leave abusive relationships?

 

Web Exercise #4: Adolescent Pregnancy

LO: 12.4 Analyze patterns of adolescent sexual activity, including sexual orientation.

Directions: This assignment can be completed individually. Chapter12 discusses risk factors for adolescent pregnancy and influences on the adjustment of adolescent mothers and their children. The purpose of this exercise is to give students insight into the lives of teen moms. Students will read information on the following website, watch the TED talk provided on this page, and answer questions.

  1. Discuss the contexts that influenced Nicole Lewis.
  2. What were her obstacles?
  3. How has she used her experience to help others?
  4. What else did you learn from watching the TED talk? How else did the information relate to the content in the textbook?