20 Jan Retrieved from the Walden Lib

Coun 6215-week 7 Discussion 1: Adolescents Engaging in Risk-Taking Behaviors

Consider what actions might prompt the following exchange between a parent and his or her adolescent child:

Parent: “What were you thinking?”

Child: “I wasn’t.”

Parent: “What if you got caught? What if you hurt yourself or someone else?”

Child: “It’s not a big deal. All of my other friends were there, too.”

The adolescent age is marked by impulsive decisions and risk-taking behaviors. However, despite the frustrations of parents and caregivers, there are logical explanations for teens’ sometimes seemingly senseless choices. Scientists have found that the prefrontal cortex, the lobe that controls problem solving, goal planning, behavior adjustment, impulse control, foresight, and various other functions, is still very much under development during the adolescent years. This means that the brain is not fully prepared to deal with complex decisions, peer pressure, or situations of immediate versus delayed gratification. As a result, adolescents lack the capability to weigh the benefits versus the risks of a given choice as an adult might.

As a counselor, it is likely you will work with adolescents who engage in harmful risk-taking behaviors. You must be able set aside your own beliefs about “acceptable” behaviors to better support and counsel these adolescents. For example, what might you say to an adolescent who has been court-ordered to see you after multiple underage drinking charges? What about the adolescent who participates in unhealthy eating practices to achieve a desired body image? The one who is sexually active? The daredevil?

For this Discussion, review the media, “Adolescence.” Identify the adolescent (aged 11–18) in your assigned family. Consider how risk-taking behaviors are impacting the adolescent and his or her family.

Post the identity of your adolescent client. Summarize the developmental crises he or she is facing. Then, explain at least two risk-taking behaviors in which the adolescent is involved and at least one protective factor that might be influencing his or her level of functioning. Finally, explain the impact of these behaviors on the adolescent and his or her family. Justify your response with references to this week’s Learning Resources and the current literature. Be specific.

Reference

Guilamo-Ramos, V., Jaccard, J., Dittus, P., & Bouris, A. M. (2006). Parental expertise, trustworthiness, and accessibility: Parent-adolescent communication and adolescent risk behavior. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68(5), 1229–1246.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Coun 6215-week 7 Discussion 2: The Impact of Social Media and Technology

Twenty-first century middle school students are intellectually and socially different from any generation that has come before them. The advent of texting, social networking, and social media, and the ease at which they can navigate the Internet has connected these learners to their friends and mass media 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While there is no doubt that social media has inadvertently caused many adolescents to become computer savvy and technologically adept, how might it strengthen or weaken the bonds of adolescent friendships? When parents and adolescents are “friends” online, does it help parents to get a better sense of who their adolescents are, or does it cause bickering and opportunities for further rebellion? How might social media confirm or refute gender stereotypes? How might it serve as a channel for bullying?

For this Discussion, review this week’s media, “Perspectives: The Adolescent World.” Then, consider the overall impacts that social media and technology have on the development and decision making of adolescents.

Post an explanation of the potential impacts social media and technology may have on adolescent development. Include developmental, environmental, and social influences. Explain two ways in which these influences may impact decision making in adolescents. Justify your response with references to this week’s Learning Resources and the current literature. Be specific.

References:

Jaccard, J., Blanton, H., & Dodge, T. (2005). Peer influences on risk behavior: An analysis of the effects of a close friend. Developmental Psychology, 41(1), 135–147.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2011).Excessive online social networking: Can adolescents become addicted to Facebook? Education and Health, 29(4), 68–71.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Reich, S. M., Subrahmanyam, K., & Espinoza, G. (2012). Friending, IMing, and hanging out face-to-face: Overlap in adolescents’ online and offline socialnetworks. Developmental Psychology, 48(2), 356–368.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Strasburger, V. (2010). Children, adolescents, and the media: Seven key issues. Pediatric Annals, 39(9), 556–564.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.