Thursday, October 27, 2016

Week 9 Blog Post

Context mapping is when you list various spaces and relationships that you negotiate each day onto a medium that can be displayed. This is especially helpful when trying to figure out the many different roles and interactions you deal with on a daily basis. Based on Erikson’s model of early human development James Marcia took it upon himself to expand on the content of crisis that one typically overcomes when advancing towards becoming an adult. James Marcia developed four stages that helped people to understand the complexity involved when constructing one’s identity.

Achieved Identity: In this stage of adolescence a youth will have explored and made a strong commitment to a set of beliefs and values that they developed themselves or with others assisting them. An example you finally decide to enroll in Youth Development after exploring all paths at RIC because its sets of values align with who you have become.

Foreclosed Identity: In this stage of adolescence there is a commitment to something without personal exploration of alternatives. An example you enroll in Education at RIC because you want to work with youth but you have not explored any other careers paths at RIC that also work with youth.

Diffuse Identity: In this stage of adolescence youth may not yet fully realized their social identity or have even started to define their own personality traits. An example you are unsure about what you want to do in life and whether you should attend college.

Moratorium: In this stage of adolescence commitments are either nonexistent or vaguely defined but are actively exploring alternatives advancements. An example you have an idea that you want to work with youth and you are also looking into other fields of interest such as computer science, and social work.


Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Blog 6 Post



My values lie in Critical Youth Development based on the Ideology Inventory. I believe that youth are able to contribute ideas and thoughts on key issues such as social justice. There are social issues in our society that affect many youths lives giving them a rich amount of experience that adults may lack. By giving youth an outlet in which they are able to voice their thoughts and opinions on social problems, allows us to find a more comprehensive solution that takes everyone into account.  

It is because of this that it’s important to lead with youth in order for them to create their own ideas and thoughts regarding these complex issues. Critical Youth Development aims to have youth create a positive impact for themselves and the communities they live in. Critical Youth Development engages youth in challenging their own beliefs and values through group interactions between youth and adults in a safe environment. Creating experiences like this gives youth the opportunity to get to know each other better and in turn get to understand themselves more. Through building communication skills youth get the chance to develop their own voice and gives them the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas to their community.