As explored in my previous reflection, I will continue to follow Craig Gilner’s journey in It’s Kind of a Funny Story as it relates to adolescence and resilience. With adolescence being a time of transition and adjustment, resilience is incredibly important for one’s mental health and wellbeing (Arnett, 2018). The term resilience refers to one’s ability to healthily cope with challenges (Arnett, 2018). One’s gender identity may influence the strategies one ultimately adopts, or society expects to adopt, through externalization or internalization. Despite it being easy to assume that one is superior to the other, both have the potential of promoting and denying growth. To externalize or internalize a problem means to direct the problem inward …show more content…
To elaborate, society expects males to externalize their problems and females to internalize their problems (Arnett, 2018). Coupled with such assumptions may be the underlying motivations of socializing young boys to be aggressive and protective while young girls to be passive and obedient (LaMarre, 2018). Though this socialization is shifting, such traditional expectations have not disappeared (LaMarre, 2018). The Canadian Mental Health Association suggests that one barrier for males seeking help is the notion that mental health issues are weaknesses, and thus non-masculine (“Men and Mental Illness”). The Healthy Place termed this belief as one needing to “man up” (Barton, 2017). Nevertheless, such stigma has led to projects like the Good Men Project, with the hopes of changing the conversation. Moreover, they suggest that we think we know what it means to be a good man, when truly, we don’t (“The Good Men Project”). Having this conversation and providing males the space they need to simply be themselves, challenges what is considered normal for a man or woman and ultimately allows society to move …show more content…
Undoubtedly, Craig is not violent, nor does he engage in anger, violence or self-harm. The closest he gets to externalizing his problems occurs when he considers jumping off Brooklyn Bridge, though he never actually carries out this act (Vizzini, 2015). One may argue this makes him more feminine than masculine, however, the whole motivation behind keeping his insecurities and vulnerabilities to himself could simply be to seem stronger and more capable to others. If no one knows he is struggling or having difficulties in his day to day life, then no one would think of him as being less of a man than say, for example, Aaron or Bobby. The book discusses how Craig was extremely concerned that his friends would find out he was in Six North because it would imply that he had problems and is thus not living up to the standard of an ideal man (LaMarre, 2018; Vizzini, 2015). In addition to this, it would also imply he is open about his problems, which should not be there in the first place, and connects with others. For Aaron or Bobby, this may seem out of character, but for Craig, it is normal. Generally speaking, it is almost like he is operating on his own set of standards and regardless of what society says, he will continue living his life the way he chooses to live it- at first hesitantly, but later
First, men, like teenage boys, are expected to be “aggressive, brave, confront danger, and protect their loved ones.” The expectation to hold true to these qualities deteriorates the physical well-being and mental state of men, leading to more injuries in the long run. The mentality taught to young boys to “suck it up” when injured fosters the idea that they should not seek medical attention for injuries, which can lead to major problems in later life. Gender socialization teaches men to conceal their feelings because it is seen as feminine. Hiding emotions leads to stress and the complications that come from stress. Women are gender socialized to be the “responsible ones, the nurturers, and the caretakers.” Caretakers are known to have high levels of stress associated with attending to the needs of young children and sick relatives. High levels of stress are known to cause weight changes, depression, and sleep disorders. Second, women who have day jobs are also expected to also be housekeepers and nurturers of their families, causing added stress to women. (Day) Gender expectations of adults, set onto them in their adolescence, cause great strain and stress throughout their lives. Socialization of the genders from adolescence may have lasting impacts on the well-being of adults, but there are simple changes parents and society can make that will ease this
Gaunte challenges the perceived benefits from engaging in hegemonic masculinity and its relevance to a person’s well being. Benefits are strictly social, whereas the costs are internal and limits how one can behave based on guidelines of masculinity. The phrase “man up” imposes gender expectations, exaggerating perceived differences between men and women such as physical strength and emotional absence. Mora concludes that puberty is a social accomplishment because boys can enact hegemonic masculinity, but Gaunte evokes the alternative where boys do not enact hegemonic masculinity and are penalized for it. Due to society’s expectations of engaging in masculinity, a boy’s freedom to express himself is limited, and being “strong in a way that isn’t about physical power or dominance” implies femininity (Gaunte). This is important because criticisms toward marginalized masculinities lead to internalized self-hatred that is projected onto self and relationships. Gaunte emphasizes the importance of addressing problems that arise from this, such as boys committing suicide, women being assaulted, and trans people being
Boys think that they must put on a persona that they are tough and no one can hurt them. I agree with the author that the boys are forced to hide their emotions and fears that’s why men become insensitive. Because the most important factor of how boys become tough men is how adults treat and teach them differently from girls. The boys start hearing messages that they need to be strong and tough from adults since they are just babies. I think this is the main problem that causes men to be insensitive and emotionalist. However, it is their parents, society, and everyone around them who affect the boys to become the men that they should be. If people treat boys same as how they treat the girls, I guess men will act the same way as
From the beginning of the human race the gender roles of man and woman appeared to be straightforward. Women, being able to procreate, were sought to as nurturers, while men were to protect and provide for their family. Throughout all cultures, practices and beliefs of individuals toward masculinity significantly vary. Masculinity or manliness associates with characteristics such as strength, bravery, handsomeness, and physique in a male. With the ongoing changes in human history, the term masculinity has greatly evolved. Our western views’ paint a clear image of how children should be raised according to their gender role, which leads to more and more of them falling victim to the stigma of societal pressures and stereotypes. For example,
According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is the process of adjusting enough in the presence of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or major sources of stress such as financial and workplace problems, family/ relationship problems, and severe health problems or workplace and financial stressors (American Psychological Association, 2013).
Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person: through childhood and adolescence. (9th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Rees begins with the by filling the audience in on how the world is “getting easier and better,” and medical and technological advances have lead to the rapid growth of the population. (25) The advances and “progress” we have made has lead to a long and comfortable life. The author then lists multiple failed management endeavors, which had initially thought to alleviate or reverse environmental issues. He cites that the reason for the failures is that the models did not reflect the stress of the human demand, “The sheer scale of human demands on nature has pushed many socioecosystems into unfamiliar and often unfriendly territory.” (27) Ecologists have supposed that when socio-ecosystems lose their
When I am asked to make meaning of my life, the biggest recurring theme is my resounding resiliency. I am sure of myself. I have unwavering hope, optimism, and trust in myself. Often, this shocks those who are just getting to know me. Others are not shy to call me naïve. People are normally quite curious as to where this aspect of my personality came from. I believe my resiliency is the result of personal growth through adverse, and dire conditions in my childhood.
Wassell, D. B. & Iain, S. C. (2002). Adolescence : Assessing and Promoting Resilience in Vulnerable Children. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers .
Community colleges play an important role in providing students access to higher education, and serve as an entryway of opportunity for many minority students (Boswell, 2004; Suarez, 2003; Trujillo & Diaz, 1999). Latinos currently account for 12.5% of the U.S. population and are the fastest growing component of the population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001). Community colleges enroll approximately 50% of Latino students in higher education, a number that continues to grow each year (Fry, 2002; Suarez, 2003). Scholars report that Latinos are more likely than any other racial or ethnic group to enroll in community colleges (Fry, 2002; Kurlaender, 2006; Martinez & Fernández, 2004; Suarez, 2003). These demographics show
Have you ever been in a life-changing accident? Have you ever contracted a life-threatening virus? Have you ever experienced something that changed your life forever? Bouncing back from any of these experiences can be very difficult. One has to push forward and use positive thinking to be able to overcome such life-changing experiences. One must build resilience. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors (apa.org). It means "bouncing back" from difficult experiences (apa.org). Having a life-changing experience should not stop one from living his/her life. One should always keep moving forward no matter how difficult it may seem. One should also try to be more optimistic by looking at the bright side of things.
what is Grit? Grit is firmness of character or having an indomitable spirit, in other words grit is believing in ourselves and having hunger to succeed. I believe grit is something real and truly makes a difference in anything you do. In the passage the “Significance of Grit” Angela Duckworth speaks about how some people have a trait that leads them to succeed over others and she calls it grit. Me being a student,I can totally see where she is coming from because you need to have an internal flame that roars inside of you to see what you are actually capable of. I had never really heard of the word grit in the academic world until taking this class, I thought grit and being smart where the same thing but that’s not the case.I believe everyone shares this trait but they show it in different tasks Many times I have been resilient and gritty in an academic environment without even knowing.
Do you remember when women were confined to the kitchen with a baby at the waist and a duster in the other hand? Of course not, this is 2016. Women are no longer held to the 1950’s housewife ideal and are free to explore career paths and break free from previous gender norms. But what about men? Have they had the same opportunities women have had in redefining gender relations? Traditionally, masculinity has been defined by strength and assertiveness. But, masculine gender role ideals can be damaging to men and affect their ability to be an emotionally-healthy individual. This can manifest in two ways, hyper-masculinity and hypo-masculinity, and both have negative impact on the individual. In the recent wave of feminism, goals have been broadened and are focusing on abolishing gender stereotypes and expectations. This applies not only to females, but to males as well. Results are starting to develop,
Throughout our life, it can be marked by developmental changes in every domain of life: our physical, cognitive, social, personalities, and morals. Due to some important researchers such as Erickson, Freud, Piaget we are able to understand the development of each of these domains. Each stage of it’s life has it’s own difficulties and events that can determine a person’s life (Mogler, 2008). During the stages of adolescence, they are very vulnerable to a lot going on in their life such as fitting in, peers, family, school, activities, and society, and not to forget the ups and downs of puberty. Adolescence can be viewed as a huge part of many children’s lives where in this part of their life they try to find teenagers experience physical, cognitive,
The differences between women and men are not solely biological. Our society’s culture has established a set of unwritten cultural laws of how each gender should act, or in other words society has ascribed a stereotype. Men’s gender identity has been one of masculinity, and masculinity is defined as referring to a man or things described as manly. What does manly mean though? Is a male manly if he is “Mr. Fix-it”, or the jock, or if he sits on the couch on Sunday watching football? This latter statement is a stereotype of men, that has been around for decades, and is current as well, but starting with the 1960’s a man’s role started to change, despite the stereotype not changing to accommodate it. For the past 40 years one can see how men have taken on roles stereotypically ascribed to women, such roles including being the “stay-at-home mom”, which we can find an excellent example of in the 1980’s film “Mr.