Sexual Identity And Adolescent Development Essay - 1464 Words

Acquiring a sexual identity is very important and critical to the development of adolescents. While neither sexual or gender identity has anything to do with an individuals’ physical anatomy itself, both have separate, individual meanings. According to genderspectrum.org, gender identity is a reflection and realization of â€Å"one’s internal sense of self as male, female, both or neither†. On the other hand, in regards to sexual identity and adolescents, this involves figuring out whom they find themselves sexually or romantically attracted to. In his article on www.kinseyconfidential.org, titled â€Å"What Is ‘Sexual Identity’? Is It The Same As Sexual Orientation?†, Dr. Eric Grollman defines sexual identity as â€Å"the label that people adopt to signify to others who they are as a sexual being, particularly regarding sexual orientation† (2010). This paper will discuss the topic of sexual identity in adolescent development, along wit h how that aspect of development extends and pertains to non-majority adolescents in the United States as well. Aerika Brittian uses the developmental systems perspective to study and further learn more the identity of African American adolescents. The developmental systems theoretical (DTS) model states that an individual is a part of a ‘multilevel ecology of human development’. The individual and their environment have a complex relationship that is linked to elements of biological, psychological, cultural, historical, and social components (Brittian,Show MoreRelatedThe Role Of Self Identity For Adolescents939 Words   |  4 Pagesclassified as one of the most challenging and significant stage during life transition. In this phrase, the individuals not only developing physical and sexual maturation but also experiencing the development of identity and transitions into social and economic independence (WHO, 2014). This essay will discuss the different concept of self- identity for adolescents, the important predictable and unpredictable elements during the transition, as well as the nurses’ role in relation to adolescence care. AccordingRead MoreIntroduction And Statement Of The Problem1161 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction and Statement of the Problem Rejection. Death. Hatred. These are the consequences lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adolescent individuals face as members who are a part of parentally unaccepted families. In America, approximately 3.4% of adolescent individuals identify as homosexual. The breakdown of this population included 1.6% who identify as gay or straight, 0.7% who identify as bisexual, and 1.1% who don’t identify within those standards (Ward, Dahlhamer, Galinsky JostliRead MoreSexuality and the development of a sexual selfhood is a development that can occur during900 Words   |  4 Pagesand the development of a sexual selfhood is a development that can occur during adolescence. While this categorical event may be universal, how it is experienced is unique based on personal, social, and contextual reasons. This development arises from an intertwining of physiological and psychological processes and is tightly related to identity. Historically, research on sexuality has been driven by a public health agenda, which is overshadowed by moral panic and bad outcomes of adolescent sexualityRead MoreAdolescence Development : The Growth Of A Child Occurs After Childhood995 Words   |  4 PagesAdolescence Development Adolescence development is the period where the growth of a child occurs after childhood and before adulthood. The ages are from 12 to 18 years. This period is one of the most crucial times in an adolescent life. They experience serious changes such as physical, sexual maturation, social and economic independence, development of identity and the skills needed to have adult relationships and roles during this time. While this period is a time of tremendous growth and developmentRead MoreAdolescence, in modern society is the transition from childhood to adulthood. Known as a time of600 Words   |  3 Pagesand socio emotionally changed young adult. The physical development in adolescence In trying to discuss adolescence, most adult tend to confuse the terms adolescence and puberty, and use them synonymously. However, puberty refers to the physiological changes involved in the sexual maturation of a child. Puberty is triggered by hormonal changes, which may affect moods and behavior. During this process, both boys and girls undergo an adolescent growth spurt that typically begins about two years earlierRead MoreAge Groups And The Lifecycle1432 Words   |  6 Pagesearly years of development. For example, the newborn is either a boy or a girl and this predisposes children to gender specific ideologies. Gender revealing parties and baby showers are notorious for continuing traditional societal viewpoints of binary assumptions – girl or boy. Gender roles are established at an early age and children learn from their parents and caretakers of what is â€Å"right and wrong† in behaviors and preferences for specific genders. However, for children who are sexual minoritiesRead MoreCommunication Between African American Mothers and Their Daughters1740 Words   |  7 PagesAfrican American Mothers and Their Daughters Introduction A girls communication and relationship with her mother are influential to her development and well-being. Communication between mother and daughter entails sending, receiving and comprehending each other intended message. According to Belgrave (2009), majority of girls report positive relationships with their mothers. Most girls learn from their mothers. This is because mothers teach and socialize with their daughters regarding any facetRead MoreUnderstanding Human Behavior Is Filled With Information Based On Social Development776 Words   |  4 PagesChapter Eight of our textbook, Understanding Human Behavior was filled with information based on â€Å"Social Development in Adolescence†. In this chapter I found it entirely fascinating, in addition to being full of multiple fragments of the social transformations and obstacles that an adolescent faces. Adolescences go through a lot of changes, not only physically, but also psychologically, and socially. These changes are nev er experienced the same from one person to another, but there can be commonRead MoreComparing Adolescents And Early Adulthood1432 Words   |  6 Pages Adolescents and Early Adulthood: Comparing Adolescents from Early Adulthood During the stages of adolescents and early adulthood there are very many various models we can look at to give us the answers of how our mind works during those stages. One of the models we can look at is the Cognitive Development model. For adolescents, they gain different many new mental tools because of a very dramatic shift from concrete to abstract thinking. Adolescents now can now analyze very different situationsRead MoreAdolescent And Their Concept Of Self1584 Words   |  7 Pagesadulthood. It is during this time, between 12 and 18 years of age, when dynamic changes occur. Adolescents not only experience profound physical change during this period – they also undergo a revolution in the way they think. This essay focuses on the adolescent and their concept of self, with a discussion of the predictable and unpredictable events that they are known to face. Although each adolescent will mature according to their own unique timetable. The following sections will more th oroughly