From goth to jock: your teenager's search for identity
The theorist Erik Erikson is well known for expanding on 贵谤别耻诲鈥檚 work regarding human development. Mr. Erikson understood and acknowledged that before an adolescent could make the transition to adulthood, he or she had to embark on a journey, a voyage of self-discovery and a search for an identity.
During the 70s and early 80s, Leonard Nimoy (best known for his portrayal as Mr. Spock in the original Star Trek series) hosted a show entitled "In Search of鈥�" Each week Mr. Nimoy would mesmerize the audience as he examined, discussed and detailed another of the world鈥檚 mysteries.
As a parent of a teen, there are probably some days when an exploration such as Nimoy鈥檚 would be helpful in trying to understand your own teen鈥檚 journey to 鈥渇ind himself.鈥�
One day she walks out the door dressed like a dancer, the next a prep, and perhaps the next a hard core rocker. They say 鈥渢he clothes make the man," and well, to some extent it may seem as if your teen has bought into this concept. At a time when teens are so concerned about how others perceive them, they often use their outward appearance to tell the story of who they are trying to become inside.
Some days you scratch your head in confusion, wondering what happened to the child you once knew. While the road toward identity may seem long and even treacherous (for both you and your teen), the underlying values and life lessons you have instilled him with will ultimately help guide him toward a grown-up version of himself.
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As the popular children鈥檚 verse goes:
Rich Man, Poor Man,
Beggar Man, Thief,
Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief.
Such is the journey from adolescence to adulthood. Who will your teen be?
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