Toshalis Article

The article, The Construction of Adolescence by Toshalis, is reading I enjoy very much. Starting on the second page, the author’s immediately dismissed the notion of “adolescent rebellious-ness” and instead introduced the concept that teenagers are actively constructing their identity. That is to say, adolescents test limits though experimenting with behaviors and responses that adults and peers than later put labels too.

The author’s then provides a case example, the characters are Antwon and Ms. Peterson. The author’s use of the case study really connected to my own attitudes and beliefs toward perceived deviance.

Toshalis later refers to the concept of interpsychological development. Prior to introducing he concept, the author wrote the word “co” multiple time to communicate the concept of interpsychological development, which is another way of saying co-construction. I really vibe to how this concept was presented. For me, it explains how two separate biases which reciprocates further biases solely based on expectations and past experiences. The author’s use of the case study provides an effective example how the importance of other interpersonal competencies, such as: seeking first to understand, vulnerability, openness, cultural competency, assertiveness, etc….

At the end of the article, Toshalis continues to references Vygotsky’s model for both scaffolding and zone of proximal development. This was a good refresher from what I learned in the educational psychology class I took. I feel that Toshalis presented these two terms in a relevant way that better my compression.

This article really clicked for me, maybe because I can relate to my own educations as an adolescent. I won’t get into much detail, but I had some negative relationships with some teachers growing up. Students who don’t are never introduced to adults worthy of respect (poor parenting), will respond accordingly to other adults. I do not need to get any more detail because the Antwon example is done right.

I want to share a song worth share. Its by Nas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUqLGRMrFAg

Egg Drop

I really enjoyed the egg drop activity that YIA facilitated for us. This was really effective way of explaining the concepts of resources and privilege in an active medium. The egg drop expanded my intellectual understanding of privilege with a more experiential understanding. Intuitive understanding of these concepts are very important. I found the discussion panel to be very beneficial as well. The entire group did a great job reflecting the ambiguity, the “grey area”, in discussion on spectrum of disadvantage and privilege.

Connecting the egg drop event to the Ullucci article is very important in understanding the relationship between achievement and circumstance. I have read somewhere in a social psychology article of the “just-world” theory. In short, just-world theory explains of people’s belief that justice is in the universe. Examples are: you get what you deserve, you get what you put in, or if you work hard good things will come. Just world theory is a functionalist perspective that helps the person to better comprehend and cope with his perception, be it fair or unfair. This article also mentions how the just world theory helps better explain victim blaming. I mention the just world theory because people, the mass public, prescribe to this belief system of a just world, which ignores the environment, circumstance, and complex variables of our reality. It is comforting and easier to critic the individual, and then latter label that person. It is scary and pleasurable to admit that the larger society we benefit from is in fact damage.

Here is a comic that best express my feelings toward the subject, enjoy.

 

Ullucci Article

The Ullucci article makes multiple claims on how poverty impacts youth. The article presents four poverty myths that better articulates the author’s argument, that it is the environment is the contributor of poverty, not the individual. The four myths are “The Bootstraps Myth, The Individual Faults Myth, The Educability Myth, and The Culture of Poverty Myth.” These four myths are social devices used to keep the status quo, to maintain separation of classes. Ullucci presents a critical perception of how damaged social values are really just social myths used by the general public to justify, comprehend, blame, and even cope with our nation’s poverty.

                 

Poverty can impact youth development spaces in many forms, on both a micro and macro level. The thought on how poverty and impact youth development spaces is also dependent on context and perception.  With the disclaimer said, I feel it is necessary to mention anger in youth spaces. It is known that anger is an frequent emotion for those who are vulnerable and disadvantage. In short, a symptom of poverty is anger and anger is to be expected in youth spaces.  For youth, this anger can manifest itself though many forms, such as passion, frustration, perceived misbehaviors, violence, creativity, withdrawal, etc... This is just a perception, but youth spaces need to be capable and open to allow youths to express their anger. It is important for youth spaces not to alienate its youth by trying to correct, fix, or change the expression of anger, including the offensive. Healing comes after a certain degree of empowerment and awareness. Form my limited experiences working in YD programs, the successful programs are the ones that allow youth to get angry, even if it is at adults supervising the program. This is not placating or a weakening of prosocial rules and boundaries, but rather to allow youth some leeway when anger gets control of their emotions. They are many ways to teacher how to appropriately and effectively express anger, it best for the youth worker to establish a trusting relationship with youth before approaching the youth’s anger that derives from poverty.

Here is a really good link:: http://www.loveandlogic.com/

Love and Logic is an excellent tool for managing students, especial those who display anger. I have been trained in the Love and Logic approach from a charter school I use to work in. Please check it out, as Love and Logic teaching important techniques and skills for youth workers.