Becoming an Adult:

Consider:  How do individuals form an identity?  How do individuals prepare for an occupation?  How do individuals develop supportive relationships?  What factors influence the socialization of individuals for adult roles?

Socialization:  Becoming an adult requires that individuals alter their behaviour as they take on new adult roles in life. WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE TO YOU? Socialization  process by which people learn appropriate social role behaviours in order to participate in society. - Includes learning values, attitudes, and expectations

Resocialization  enables one to discard old behaviour and to change his or her behaviour. Anticipatory Socialization  prepares individuals for major role changes, allows individuals to learn and practise role behaviour before actually taking on a new role. Example: think of ones social clock- anticipating transitions/events in ones life as they grow older.

Identity Formation and the Dream:  Erikson (1959)- identity formation was the foundation on which individuals would build their lives. Identity has 3 aspects: 1. Consistent sense of self 2. Realistic perception of the world 3. Sense of control over one’s own life Felt this was similar to the DREAM be Levinson

Developing a Sense of Self:  Symbolic interactionism  Individuals form a sense of themselves based on their interpretations of how other act towards them. Looking Glass Theory (Charles Cooley)- When you present yourself to others by words and actions, you interpret others’ reactions as reflections of their evaluation of your, and form your self-identity as a result of their interpretations.  WHAT IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS?

 Erikson explained that forming a true identity required that one’s self=image match the image he or she thinks others have of him or her  This is why it is important to choose reliable significant others as role models

Influence of the Family on Identity Formation:  Families first environment in which people are socialized  Family primary role models for children- thus play a major role in identity formation

Influence of the Family on Identity Formation:  We acquire personal qualities from our family that may affect our socialization- background- origin, race, religion, ethnicity.  If your family supports you and encourage you to explore challenging activities- help you to develop a sense of control and positive self-esteem

Influence of School on Identity Formation:  Erikson believes that identity formation for emerging adults depends on developing COMPETENCE, a sense of being capable of doing things that are worthwhile. DO YOU AGREE?  We do this by learning, and evaluating our accomplishments against those of others. WHY DO WE COMPARE OURSELF SO MUCH TO OTHERS?

School on Identity Formation…  School is the first step a child takes in separating from the family.  When one enters the school system- they acquire two distinct sets of significant others outside the family who will give them feedback on their behaviour: 1. Teachers 2. Peers Out of the two groups who do you think exerts a stronger influence?  Academic experiences challenge individuals to develop a consistent sense of who they are, what they believe, what they will do, and whom they want to be with.

Forming an Occupation: WHAT DOES WORK MEAN TO YOU?

Forming an Occupation:  Some people live to work, others work to live.  Most young Canadians are EXPECTED to prepare for an adult life that includes a JOB as its MAJOR component. 1. AGREE? Why? 2. How has this changed over time?  Enables individuals to pursue DREAMS!  Forming an Occupation- as Levinson puts it- is a lengthy process as you want to spend time doing WORK that fits your identity and life structure.

Forming an Occupation…  Contributes to self-esteem  Satisfying work is related to identity formation- HOW?  Occupation determines how much money an individual will make, how one will use their time, how challenging work will be and with whom you will interact with, how much flexibility one has.  LOTS TO CONSIDER.

Satisfying Work: Linked to: 1. Better health 2. Lower stress levels 3. Ability to balance home and work

School and Family:  Until the last C, people were not required to choose an occupation- individuals would following in their parents footsteps  NOW, work is separated from home and there are so many occupations to consider  Parents no longer have the skills, nor the time to prepare their children for employment. WHO DOES THIS?  SCHOOL- has taken over a major role of socializing individuals for an occupation  School and Community- provide opportunities for anticipatory socialization

Family and Occupation:  Parents level of education, income, employment history- linked to child’s level of education and adult income  Parents work experiences determine the values and attitudes toward work that they teach their children

School and Occupation: School helps individuals; 1. Concentrate 2. Preserver through difficult tasks 3. Help individuals develop self control 4. Teach individuals to adjust social behaviour 5. Develop communication skills to sure the role expectations 6. Extracurricular- teamwork, management skills 7. Provide feedback HOW CAN THIS BE TRANSFERABLE TO THE REAL WORLD?

Part-Time Work- Forming an Occupation: Provide opportunities for; 1. Anticipatory socialization 2. Responsibility 3. Explore what one can and cannot do- or is willing to do 4. Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation

Adult Relationships:  To become independent adults form new relationships with a variety of people who can support their transition  Renegotiate existing relationships  Working is a very important factor in becoming an adult- PERSONAL relationships are the priority for young adults.

Relationships: 1. Friendships- enhance self-esteem, emotional support, objective point of views to solve problems, sense of attachments nad involvement 2. Workplace relationships- competition, who do you communicate with? how do you communicate? How do you act? Behave? LOTS TO CONSIDER!

Where do MENTORS come in? 1. What is a MENTOR? 2. What qualities do mentors posses? 2. Why are they important? 3. Do men and women have MENTORS? 4. Do you have a mentor?