6301 WK 4 DISCUSSIN
Candyy31
6200wk4responses.docxRespone1
WednesdayMar 22 at 1:05pm
Hello,
The role of peer group acceptance plays a massive part in identity development among children in middle childhood. Peer group acceptance can positively and negatively affect how a child views themselves. Positive peer interactions are essential as children learn about themselves and their surroundings. (McLean, 2018) which impacts a child’s behaviors and interactions with others in the future. Negative peer interactions can also affect a child’s behavior and self-esteem and pressure them to do things they would never consider doing on their own. (Zastrow, et, al., 2019).
Peer acceptance of a child creates the basis for healthy development. In contrast, rejection from peers from an early age brings about risks, according to Shehu, (2020), such as poor adaptation to school, loneliness, social anxiety, and depression, to name a few.
Peer acceptance is a predictor of successful adjustment in middle childhood. “Identity development is a broad and multidimensional task, and for healthy development, it requires engagement at all levels” (McLean & Syed, 2018). Peers have a powerful impact on the development and socialization of others by providing a sense of support through challenging moments.
In the video, Big Mama explains how age has nothing to do with love. Walter came from a challenging background. His father passed away when he was four years old, and his mother was a drug addict that abandoned him. His 87-year-old grandmother raised him for nearly six years, so he would not end up in the foster care system. Big mama explained that her age does not impact her ability to raise her grandson (Seretean, T. 2000).
I think the family situation would affect the child’s identity development because Walter suffered many losses in his young life. At this stage in life, he is learning to trust, has many curiosities, developing self-confidence, and gains acceptance, attachment, and belonging (Zastrow et al., 2019).
The environment was both nurturing and structured by his grandmother. Big Mama ensured Walter knew could do anything, and he believed that. He did well in school and was socially engaged with his peers. Big Mama’s parenting style was a positive approach to his sense of direction and the behaviors modeled. Walter’s school environment was essential for his learning, sharing, and communicating with others (Seretean, T. 2000)
In the video Big Mama, it became difficult for Walter’s grandmother to care for him. Walter’s behaviors began to take a turn with the decline of his grandmother’s health. He acted out violently due to his stress and anxiety levels. (Seretean, T. 2000). Walter was scared that his grandmother would die; she was all he knew. His past traumas of his mother and father leaving him brought some attachment issues. According to Erickson ( cited in McLean & Syed, 2019), it can lead a child to a crisis when it involves multiple changes, as they are trying to gain understanding, evaluate and comprehend their surroundings and situation.
References:
McLean, K. C., & Syed, M. (2018). Identity developmentLinks to an external site.Links to an external site. . In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), The Sage encyclopedia of lifespan human development. Sage.
Seretean, T. (Producer, Director). (2000). Big mama Links to an external site.Links to an external site. [Film; documentary]. California Newsreel.
Shehu, P. (2019). Peer Acceptance in Childhood: Links to Socio-Economic and Social Competence. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 176-200
Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.Chapter 4, “Social Development in Infancy and Childhood” (pp. 159–232)
Collapse Subdiscussion Jaelyn Moore
WednesdayMar 22 at 4:35pm
· Explain the role peer group acceptance plays in identity development among children in middle childhood. Also discuss whether peer acceptance is a predictor of successful adjustment in middle childhood.
The importance of peers has been emphasized among adolescents in particular, with the belief that having friends makes antisocial behavior easier. Early infancy is a time when family interactions are more crucial than people themselves. Studies have indicated that it is already challenging for peers to feel welcomed by classmates when they are three or four years old due to the nature of developing friends. "Identity development is a broad and multidimensional task and, for healthy development, requires an engagement at all of these levels" (McLean & Syed, 2018). Early challenges have a negative effect on children's future social and emotional development. The ability to control one's emotions, imitate others' actions, comprehend cause-and-effect relationships, and speak fluently are all necessary for interactions with peers, relationships to be formed, and skill development. Peers have a significant impact on the growth and socialization of others by offering a sense of support through challenging and competitive situations.
· Then, imagine that you are working with a child being raised by older relatives, as in the Big Mama video. How would you expect the family situation to affect the child’s identity development?
According to the text, it states that even as kids become more social and mature, families are still important (Zastrow et al., 2019). A child's life is at a turning point when they enter middle school. Although they are starting to form their own sense of self, families continue to be crucial in influencing the choices that kids make at this age. Children in middle school start to learn how to communicate, collaborate, and share with others. Children rely on their peers cognitively to feel accepted when they make friends. Peers can benefit or hurt a child's development in different ways. According to the text, it mentions ethnic and cultural diversity among families, peer play’s social components, the effects of television, and the educational setting (Zastrow et al., 2019). She discusses her love for Walter in the video, "Big Mama" and how her age has no bearing on her capacity to raise her grandson. Walter benefits from Big Mama's authoritative parenting style, which gives him a sense of direction and models appropriate behavior. Walter's growth, including his ability for learning, sharing, and interpersonal communication, is significantly influenced by his school environment. As Walter gets older, his physical condition with Big Mama could cause him tension and anxiety. Her health is deteriorating; she is frail, aged, and finding it harder to control Walter's unpredictable behavior.
References:
Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
McLean, K. C., & Syed, M. (2018). Identity developmentLinks to an external site.Links to an external site. . In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), The Sage encyclopedia of lifespan human development. Sage.
