EDPY 304: Adolescence 

​Topic 8: Identity

I think that I can help adolescent students develop their identity in a meaningful way by really focusing on the positives of everybody, and providing a welcoming, inclusive and non-judgemental environment. As talked about in the textbook and in our class notes, many students "like" or "brand" themselves and their identity because they have low self-esteem and low self-confidence. By working on raising adolescent self-confidence and self-esteem, and really making adolescents see what makes them special as a person is what makes the difference. As talked about in the video, Generation Like, the producers talk about corporations using adolescents to brand themselves through liking their product and organization, and really making themselves the product of branding. I have included the video website below.

This type of identity is very superficial, and this is not the best influence that should be in-line with adolescence. As teachers, we need to help students reflect their true identities. Adolescence is a period of time where students are highly influenced and vulnerable. Social media should not take up your life and it should not take over your identity. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to help show adolescents the positives and the assets that they have, and really focus on their positives (Dr. Cormier, Class Notes Topic 8). Help them to develop a truthful and honest identity. I think also believing in your students can make a big difference. Many times, you will come across a student who is not coming from the best backgrounds, and they are starting from an already lowered self-esteem due to the influence of socialization and social norms (Cormier, 2015). It is our role as a teacher to motivate students and to provide them the support that they need. If we as teachers can be motivational, believe in our students and help them and support them in finding out who they truly are, then we have reduced the impact of "liking" and "branding" on their identiy formation. We are providing them with the environment for them to learn and develop their true identity.