1. Developing Personal Identity and Character
Lesson 2
Developing Personal Identity and Character

2. Journal Entry
What are your interests and talents? Write in full detail and describe how those interests and talents might play a role in your future.

3. Your Personal Identity
Sense of yourself as a unique individual
Depends on your age and circumstances
Other parts are unique and one of a kind

4. How Identity Forms
One of the most important tasks you will accomplish during your teen years

5. How Identity Forms Formed by recognizing your likes and dislikes
Influence of your relationships with your family and friends
When you mature you will meet a wider variety of people and also begin to form your own opinions
As your experiences broaden, you’ll develop likes and dislikes based on how your experiences fit your values and beliefs

6. How Identity Forms
Identify a role model (someone whose success or behavior serve as an example for you)
Identity will change as your interests change
May struggle with alternatives and choices but eventually will develop a sense of your own values, interests, beliefs, occupational goals, and relationship expectations.

7. Aspects of Identity
Personality = complex set of characteristics that makes you unique
Personality determines how your react to certain situations
It sets you apart from other people
Family, your ethnic group, and friends also define who you are

8. The Importance of Good Character
Character is an important part of identity (the distinctive qualities that describe how a person thinks, feels and behaves.)
Good character is an outward expression of inner values
Vital part of a healthy identity
Person with good character demonstrates core ethical values (Responsibility, honesty, respect, etc…)

9. Traits of Good Character
6 traits to describe good character. Demonstrating these traits on a regular basis shows you have integrity (a firm observance of core ethical values)
Trustworthiness
Respect
Responsibility
Fairness
Caring
Citizenship

10. Working Towards a Positive Identity
You control who You become
As you get older, you begin making more personal choices and decisions

11. Recognize Your Strength and Weaknesses
Analyze your strengths and weaknesses by being honest and realistic
Evaluate weakness without being too critical
With planning and commitment, you can improve habits

12. Demonstrate Positive Values
Practicing good character helps build a positive identity
Ex: if you’re an honors student and feeling the need and pressure to cheat on exam could harm your self-esteem, reputation or both

13. Develop a Sense of Purpose
Helps you set goals and work towards achieving them
Provides a framework to build a healthy identity
Some goals will be short and long term

14. Form Meaningful Relationships
Meaningful relationships are crucial to developing identity
Provide a support system which helps build confidence and develop a sense of security and belong
Constructive Criticism may be given from family and friends –non hostile comments that point out problems and encourage improvement

15. Avoid Unhealthful High-Risk Behaviors
Taking risks is a part of life
Examples of healthful risks are playing sports, artistic/creative activities, public speaking, making friends
They help challenge you develop skills to mature in new ways
Examples of unhealthful risks: drugs, tobacco, alcohol, reckless driving
These are harmful and dangerous

16. Contribute to the Community
Extended support system
Provides services and resources to meet your needs
Community remains strong when all members participate in making it work
Give back and volunteer

17. Journal Entry
Who in your life do you consider your role model? In your journal write about your role model. Why are they your role model? What do they do? What have they done specifically to influence you? Explain in full detail.