CHILD DEVELOPMENT 2
Running head: CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Observational Research Paper, Adolescent Interview: Child Development: Paper-
Name :
Class number :
Section code : 300
Site of the Interview : Corinth Parkway
Address of the Interview site : Corinth, TX 76208
Time of the Interview : 8am Saturday
Name of adolescent : Finlay
age of the adolescent : 18 years
Professor’s Name :
Observational Research Paper, Adolescent Interview: Child Development: Paper-
Introduction
Corinth, which is the setting of this interview, is a city in Denton County Texas, US. It within the suburbs of Dallas and has currently a population of around 20000 people. The city is located at 33.143952, -97.072194. The racial constitution include African American, 5.7% , White, 84.7%, Pacific Islander, 0.05%, Native American, 0.8%, Latino, 11.8%, and other races, 1.1%. Concerning the family makeup, there is an average of 6,897 households, 43% of whom had children under the age of 18. 62% of these households consisted of families with a man and wife living together while 8.4% constituted single families. On the other hand, 20% consisted of non-families (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015).
The interview was 4’8″ tall and weighted approximately 110 pounds. He had braces, freckles, blue eyes and messy brown hair. He had buck teeth which stuck out and had a consistent smile on his face. As he walks around, there is a protruding rick in his spine. There were pimples all over his face. He seemed to be shy looking straight at me in the face.
Concerning his daily schedule, Finlay wakes up early at six in the morning to prepare and go to school. He professes to have a hard time waking up and every time he prepares for the weekend and holiday to come earlier. The preparation entails bathing, taking breakfast, brushing teeth and assembling the necessary materials for the day. At school, he would meet his friends whom he will interact for a while before the bell arrives. At the classroom, he is required to listen to the teachers, take notes and studying on their own. After completing their lessons and other school activities, he then go back home together with the friends. After arriving home, he rests for a while, take evening tea and snacks and then proceed to doing some chores such as cleaning the room, cleaning the compound, washing dishes among others. However, sometimes he feels tired of doing such chores but he has to be compelled by reminded by the mother.
Finlay lives in a single parent structure, 2 sisters and the mother. The parents divorced five years ago when he was 12 years of age. The first sister is 22 while the other one is 20. All of them are working but living in the family apartment which is just at the outskirts of Corinth. This means that Finlay is the last born of this family. The mother is working at an NGO as a sales representative. Although she works hard to maintain the family, she has admitted that at times, things get hard for them, in terms of daily provisions and meeting other needs. However, she thanks God that her daughters are now working and can occasionally chip in for the family budget.
Interview Questions & Answers
Q: Please tell me about your relationship with your family.
A.
I think I am the lucky few who are close to his mother and siblings, my lovely two sisters. I can talk with my mother concerning anything and he is free to relate with. However, my older sister is a bit hard to talk to regarding sensitive issues.
I know that some people have a course relationship with their families. I am conversant that there are some people who hate being around their families. But I thank God that I have a loving family who also understand my needs.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A.
In my free time I like socializing, reading books and meeting new friends. I like to make companies and every opportunity I get; I have to use it accordingly
Q: What stresses you out in your daily life?
Remembering that I have to do house chores after arriving home from school is an idea that stresses me to the fullest. I am usually very tired and I would like to rest or hand around with my friends to “cool my head” However, I still realize that it is still necessary to assist my parents in these kind of jobs.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
My plans for future include finished school and starting my own company, probably a publishing company. I also anticipate being a good parent, and being a role model in the society.
- Do you have any problem with your health?
A.
At the moment no, I am physically fit
- Is there any part of your body that impairs you from doing your regular activities?
A.
No, I think I am okay
- What part of your body makes you feel ashamed of yourself?
I think it is my face, because of the pimples; I constantly try to scrap them off with a rough substance with no success. In fact, I am looking at every way possible to ensure that these pimples vanish. I also have a problem with my voice, which is abnormally deep. The other problem is regarding my breasts which some of my colleagues tease me as resembling that of a woman.
- Do you find it easy to interact with your colleagues and new people?
A.
I don’t have many problems when interacting with my colleagues. I get along well with them. Cases of fighting, insults or confrontations are not so with me. However, some teens can really be rough and hard to get along with. Some will just provoke you to fighting by insulting or through physical means. I try as much as possible to avoid such clique of people since I am generally a peace minded fellow.
- Do you find it easier to relate with older adults?
I have always had a problem getting along with people who are much older than myself. I guess this was due to pressure of conforming and to behave in a manner that is appropriate to the age.
- How can you rate your communication and social skills?
I can rate my communications skills as 8/10. This is because occasionally, I may not be clear as it is supposed to be. My teachers and colleagues attests to my concise and communications skills. I am regularly reminded by my colleagues to clarify what I have put across.
Discussion
Physical Development
Martorell (2013) points out that as children grown into adulthoods, their bodies are subjected to a series of changes identified as puberty. These changes are not only necessary but also quite important as they enhance the reproduction capability of these children. However, the author claims that is mostly a confusing time for such children as some of the changes occur without notice. This may work to explain why Finlay was worried about the changes in his body and more so, the pimples which according to him, were making him uncomfortable.
Martorell (2013) continue to explain that the adolescent’s physical developments are typically initiated by hormone signals whose origins are the brain and transcends to the respective gonads of the respective children. In boys for instance, the hormones are responsible for sperm production and testosterone. For girls, hormones are responsible for stirring the production of ovaries which then start producing estrogen. These prepare girls to start experiencing menstrual periods. Common body areas which areas which are affected by the development of hormones include: bones, muscles, skin, brain, sex organs and breasts. For Finlay, the breasts and muscles have been enlarged by the hormonal developments.
It is quite evident that Finlay body is changing. Having attained the age of 18, there is no doubt that he is on his way to adulthood. At this stage therefore, the level of hormones are as well changing. In most occasions, this generates the Zits. Finlay’s pimples which he deems embarrassing will particularly end by themselves. Later on, the pimples will reduce to a significant level. There is no need of scratching the face or doing other archaic things to remove them. He could be endangering his skin. However, if there are a lot of breakouts which persist for a long time, then there is a need to see a dermatologist. Acne and pimples may be embarrassing not only for the teenager but older people as well. However, acne becomes worse if it remains untreated in adulthood. It can leave body scars which can make some individuals to be self-conscious.
The interviewee with the adolescent also showcases that the voice has undergone changes. In particular, Finlay is “worried” that his voice has become deep and therefore, he feels shy when communicating with his colleagues and seniors. According to him, he feels that he is the odd one out and occasionally need to do something to change this situation. However, it needs to be considered that a change in voice is simply among the various changes that are going out in the phase of the teenager’s life. According to Martorell (2013), the changes in voice are caused by hormonal increase which changes the voice box or the larynx.
The larynx is placed at the throat which is at the top side of the windpipe or the trachea. The larynx harbors two miniature muscles and vocal cords. These muscles are responsible n relaxing ad tightening the larynx, subsequently changing the way air passes through it. When a voice pitch is lowered or raised, the tightness of the vocal cords makes them to change. This explains why the changes in the vocal cords affect a person’s voice. It needs to be considered that there is nothing that Finlay or any other boy can do to stop the change in his voice as he undergoes the adolescence stage. Although this may be making the “victim” uncomfortable, he needs to be reminded that this occurs all people irrespective of their situations. In other words, all teenage boys will pass through the same stage.
Cognitive and language development:
Cognitive development implies the development of children as it regards to the ability to reason and think effectively. Accordingly, from the interaction of Finlay, it is evident that his thinking and reasoning his quite logical. In other words, the thinking and reason can be considered as mature. This is showcased by the way he articulates ideas and the way he answered questions during the interview process.
When asked about his plans for the future, Finlay articulates that he anticipates finishing school, and starts his own company. He also anticipates being a good parent, and being a role model in the society. These forms of thinking can deduce to be formal logical operations. From these responses, it is evident that there is abstract thinking, considering that Finlay has thought out the possibilities of completing school and starting his own business. Furthermore, the teenager anticipates being a good parent and a role model for the society. This implies establishing own ideals or questions. Furthermore, the teenager is able to compare ideas or opinions and judge those that are ideal. In other words, he is aware of the implications of his actions or the actions of others. This is why he wants to set a good role model to the society.
According to the interviewee, his communication skills are rated as 8/10. This means that it is not all that bad nor is it perfect. Sometimes, he may not be clear as he may wish to. There are also occasions when his colleagues and teachers would want to seek more clarification on the message he passes across.
Martorell 2013) explains that although the language proficiency of children begin developing way before adolescence stage, their written and oral language develop gradually over their teen years. During this time, the teenager is expected to demonstrate improvement in conceptual thinking skills. This improvement will enable him or her to comprehend syntax in a better way as well as make proper word associations. Furthermore, the use of language by teens also provides a reflection on how they are perceived by their colleagues. This may explain why Finlay’s colleagues constantly remind him to make himself clear without appearing to be a bother to him. It is also an indication that teens are free with one another and can correct themselves with fear.
Martorell (2013) postulates that since adolescents who are in high school rely on books and lecturers in passing information, those with language problems have a tendency of falling behind in their subjects. In particular, students with language issues may find it hard in comprehending information passed to them. Furthermore, they may find it problematic in understanding instructions and organizing information. The author also continues to explain that their social relations may also be jeopardized especially if they have a problem in comprehending information language use or interpreting body language such s the use of puns, idioms or slang. Teens with such difficulties may require help in developing alternate strategies for improving their communication or language skills and the learning process. Fortunately enough, Finlay, the respondent in this interview seems not to have such difficulties.
Social and emotional development
Adolescence period is a time of big emotional and social development of any child. The phase is helpful in knowing what should be expected and the best way to support the child through the changes. During this phase, changes are noticed in the way a child interacts with friends, family and colleagues. However, it needs to be considered that every teen’s emotional and social development is not the same. This difference is due to the unique combination of genes, a child’s environment, brain development, community, friends, culture shape and family environment.
Most teens are searching for identity. They are busy working out on who they really are and where they fit in the society. This may explain why Finlay is always seeking associations with people who can fit in his caliber. He is reading books of heroes and how to become successful in life. The reason why Finlay wants to become a role model is due to the fact that he wants to set a good example of a good person in the society. This search for identity may be influenced by family expectations, peer group, the school or cultural background.
There is also a tendency of adolescents to seek more autonomy in their lives. Again this may explain why Finlay considers his older sister who is appearing more manipulative or authoritative as bothersome. He also does not like the idea that he has to perform house chores after school. In other words, he is seeking time to do what pleases him. This has a like hood of influencing the decisions the child makes as well as the relationships the child makes with the friends and family. This sense of independence may further explain why Finlay likes being with his peers and at times decides not to partake on house chores.
Teens and youth who are at the adolescent stage are always looking for new experiences. Like-wise, Finlay is always looking for new experiences in school, with peers, and in books. According to Martorell (2013), the nature of teenage brain development implies that teenagers have a like hood of seeking new experience and in some occasions engaging in risk behavior. However, there are those who are able to effectively control their impulses. Although Finlay does not engage in risky behavior, he has reported in this interview that some of his friends engage in fights, insults or bully behavior. Finlay is able to effectively control his impulses, thus the reason why he does not engage in such unruly behavior.
Summary
Through a case study, this paper has unearthed the key changes, physical, emotional and cognition that occur at individual at adolescents stage. From this case study, the changes are really and need to be understood in order to deal with them. Many of the changes occurring to people at this stage are confused and greatly misunderstood. This is why people like Finlay find themselves scratching their faces so as to remove pimples or signs of acne on their faces. These people are also utterly shy about their voices and or body developments which lower their self-esteem. In this regard, it therefore, becomes important to create awareness on all children concerning the body changes they should expect while growing up. This knowledge is also important to parents who need to know the cognitive, psychological, emotional and social changes of their children in order to tailor their behavior and attitude accordingly.
References
Martorell, G. (2013). Child from birth to adolescence. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
U.S. Census Bureau. (2015). Census of Population and Housing. Available at:
https://www.webcitation.org/6YSasqtfX?url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html (Accessed on 20th April, 2018)