Psych 2002 Human Development Childhood And Adolescenc 612205

Psyc 2002 Human Development Childhood And Adolescencethe Thought Of

Psyc 2002: Human Development: Childhood and Adolescence The thought of teenagers having sex makes many adults uncomfortable. The potential outcome of pregnancy is often not desirable in an industrialized society. In the United States, the pregnancy rate has been steadily declining over the past decade but the pregnancy rate is still among the highest in Western societies. Consider the following hypothetical example: Sally is your daughter who is in her early teens. She has been a good student. She has had a close relationship with you and a good relationship with her dad. She currently is interested in politics and is on the student council. She is active in many school events and is expected by all of the adults in her life to go to college. As her mother, you begin to suspect that she may be engaging in sexual activity. She stays out later than her curfew, and she has a steady boyfriend. There have been a few times when you know she had opportunity for sexual activity. You are an authoritative parent. You want her to know about pregnancy risks, sexually transmitted diseases, and you are concerned about her early development of relationships. You also are aware that in today's world, teens do not really date as in previous generations. They tend to engage in serial monogamy. What would you, as an authoritative parent, do? What would you do if you were an authoritarian or permissive parent? To prepare for this assignment: Review the article, "Building Teen Power for Sexual Health." Think about Baumrind’s parenting styles. How might authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parents respond differently to this situation? Consider risks of sexual involvement including (but not limited to) pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The Assignment: (2–3 pages) Keeping the above example in mind and other factors that are known to delay the onset of intercourse and prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases: Explain the risks of sexual involvement for Sally if, in fact, she is sexually active. Explain how parents, from each of the three styles listed above, would respond to Sally. Provide specific examples of parenting behaviors that include limits for Sally and consequences if the limits are not followed. Conclude by explaining your own thoughts on how to best respond if Sally was your daughter.

Paper For Above instruction

The scenario involving Sally, a teenage girl suspected of engaging in sexual activity, provides a comprehensive context to explore adolescent development, parental influence, and sexual health risks. Understanding the implications of Sally’s potential sexual involvement is critical for parents aiming to promote her well-being and protect her from adverse outcomes such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Different parenting styles, as characterized by Baumrind—authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive—offer varied approaches to managing such situations, each with distinct strategies, limits, and consequences.

Risks of Sexual Involvement for Sally

If Sally is sexually active, the risks she faces are multifaceted. Primarily, unprotected sexual activity heightens the likelihood of pregnancy, which can disrupt her educational ambitions and personal development. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2020), adolescent pregnancies often result in increased health complications for both mother and child, alongside heightened socio-economic challenges. Additionally, sexually transmitted diseases pose serious health threats; the CDC estimates that nearly half of new STIs occur among individuals aged 15-24 (CDC, 2020). Without adequate precautions, Sally’s risk of contracting infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HPV increases, which can lead to long-term reproductive health issues.

Furthermore, early sexual activity may influence Sally’s emotional and psychological well-being. Emotional maturity varies among adolescents, and engaging in sexual relationships prematurely could lead to adverse outcomes like feelings of guilt, anxiety, or low self-esteem, especially if she lacks comprehensive sexual education and open communication (Siegel, 2018). Therefore, it is vital for parents to address these risks proactively.

Parenting Responses Based on Styles

Authoritative Parenting

As an authoritative parent, I would approach Sally with open, honest communication rooted in warmth and firm boundaries. I would express my concern about the health risks associated with sexual activity and provide factual information about pregnancy prevention and STI protection. For example, I might say, “Sally, I understand that you are growing up and making your own choices. It’s important to understand the risks involved and how to protect yourself if you choose to be sexually active.” I would set clear limits, such as requiring her to use protection if she is sexually active and maintaining open dialogue about her experiences. The consequences for not following these limits could include stricter supervision or reinforcing the importance of health and safety.

Authoritarian Parenting

An authoritarian parent might respond with strict rules and immediate restrictions, emphasizing obedience and control. For example, I might say, “If you are sexually active, you are not allowed to see your boyfriend anymore,” or impose a curfew earlier. This approach may involve monitoring her activities closely and enforcing consequences such as loss of privileges if she disobeys household rules. The focus would be on obedience and compliance rather than dialogue, which could lead to secrecy or reluctance to communicate openly about her experiences.

Permissive Parenting

A permissive parent might respond with minimal restrictions and emphasize emotional support while avoiding direct confrontation about sexuality. They may say, “It’s your body, and I trust you to make good decisions,” offering little guidance or limits. This approach might result in Sally feeling free to explore her sexuality without boundaries but potentially at increased health risks due to lack of enforced precautions or information about safe sex practices.

Personal Perspective on the Best Response

In my view, the optimal approach combines the warmth and honesty of authoritative parenting with age-appropriate guidance and boundary setting. Open communication encourages Sally to share her experiences and concerns, enabling her to make informed decisions about her sexual health. Providing comprehensive sexual education, emphasizing safe sex practices, and fostering a trusting environment can mitigate risks while respecting her autonomy. If Sally were my daughter, I would prioritize fostering a supportive dialogue, providing factual information, and establishing clear, collaborative boundaries to promote her health, safety, and emotional well-being.

Conclusion

Managing the situation of Sally’s potential sexual activity requires a nuanced understanding of adolescent development and parental influence. Each parenting style offers distinct strategies, but evidence suggests that authoritative parenting—characterized by warmth, guidance, and appropriate boundaries—most effectively encourages responsible decision-making and minimizes health risks. Ultimately, fostering an environment of trust and open communication equips adolescents like Sally to navigate their development safely and confidently.

References

  • Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56-95.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Teen pregnancy. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/index.htm
  • Siegel, R. (2018). Adolescent development and sexual health. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(3), 526-540.
  • Steinberg, L. (2014). Age of opportunity: Lessons from the new science of adolescence. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
  • Maccoby, E. E., & Martin, J. A. (1983). Socialization in the context of the family: Parent-child interaction. In P. H. Mussen (Ed.), Handbook of child psychology (pp. 1-101). Wiley.
  • Collins, W. A., et al. (2009). Parents, peers, and romantic relationships in adolescence. Child Development, 80(2), 468-482.
  • Ginsburg, G. S., et al. (2014). Improving communication about adolescent sexuality. Pediatrics, 134(3), e802-e808.
  • WHO. (2019). Adolescent pregnancy. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-pregnancy
  • Tan, C. (2017). Parenting styles and adolescent sexual behavior. Journal of Family Studies, 23(2), 183-198.
  • Perkins, R., & Miller, S. (2015). Effective parent-child communication about sex. Sex Education, 15(4), 397-409.

Related Assignments