lines of communication
NAME:
Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Course
Date
How important is it for minority youths to have a bicultural identity? What steps would you recommend that ethnic minority parents take in order to assist their adolescent children in the development of a bicultural identity?
Introduction
Bicultural identity is the condition of being oneself regarding the combination of two cultures. Having a bicultural identity is one of the special aspects about being bilingual or multilingual. It would be hard to define bilingual without speaking also to bicultural. When someone takes on another language, and spends any amount of time in that language on a regular basis, they inevitably develop and mold themselves as a person. A person starts to take on characteristics of the new language and culture which in turn combine with the old and create a new hybrid identity.
The youth are the leaders of tomorrow and they make sure continuity of our culture, youth from minority are advised to remain bicultural this is because bicultural provides the following:
skills Trust me, there’s a load of things you never thought that you could do or find opportunities to try, but add another culture to the mix and you can bet you’re bound to discover hidden talents. No idea how to dance cumbia, you can bet you’ll be a pro by the time you’re hitched! Ever wanted to learn a second language, here’s your chance! A bicultural lifestyle creates many unique opportunities.
Friendship participating in more diverse arenas means that you have more opportunities to discover friends who can relate to you and your family. You meet people you never would have had the chance to before…or might have been uncomfortable to approach on your own.
Diversity Being bicultural means there’s more variety available in just about everything in your life…from new foods, to jams that make you dance like never before, to clothes with more style and comfort than you’ve ever known and just flat out a ton off flying at you from all angles! For me, it was ‘bye bye assimilation’ hello acculturation.
Awareness Being bicultural partners means that we complete each others learning. He taps me into the things that matter most to him and I connect him to my concerns. Our combined interests of entirely different topics increases global awareness in our home
Travel Family trips take on a whole new meaning for bicultural. It isn’t just a tourist outing, it’s an opportunity for learning, catching up with family and connecting with your heritage. Travel is something that is often seen as a must, rather than a maybe. We need those important connections and often times travel is the best method
Traditions We can pick and choose any we want, make up new, mix and match…whatever we want! I love the freedom and fresh ideas that come with experiencing multiple cultures in your home! Being bicultural brings more choices to the plate and allows you to create some very unique family traditions that speak to your combined heritage parents can assist their children in gain bicultural identity by asking them to be free with others and try to learn and relate to them.
Based on the information in the text regarding the role of parents in adolescents’ engagement in high-risk behaviors, what do you think are the three most important things that parents might do to prevent adolescence high-risk behaviors
Introduction
Although it can be stressful for parents, adolescence and risk-taking go hand in hand. This is because teens need to explore their own limits and abilities, as well as the boundaries you set. It’s part of their path to becoming independent young adults. Teens need to express themselves as individuals, which is part of developing their identities.The three main things parent can do to prevent adolescence from high risk behaviors are:
Reducing risk-taking
Knowing that it’s normal doesn’t make teen risk-taking any easier to live with. Here are some ideas to limit risk-taking and keep your child safer:
· They should help their child learn to assess risk.
Parents should talk about other people’s behavior and its consequences. They should ask their child what they think the consequences might be. If they aren’t sure, then they should share ideas.
· Work out some agreed ground rules
Parents should explain to their child on ways to keep them safe. Decide together on what the consequences should be if the rules are broken.
· Talk about values – the earlier the better. Knowing what’s important to their family will help their child develop a sense of responsibility and personal values.
· Keep an eye on your child.
· Keep the lines of communication open.
Parents have to stay connected to their child. Strong connections with parents reduce the chance of risky teen sexual behavior.
· Be a good role model. Teens are guided by how their parents behave. If your child sees you applying double standards from speeding to excessive drinking or aggressive behavior, she might not respect your rules.
· Encourage a wide social network. You probably can’t stop your child from being friends with a particular person or group – but you can give him the chance to make other friends through sport, community or family activities. Make your child’s friends welcome in your home; this will help you know where he is at least some of the time.
· Give teens a way out. If your child feels pressured to take risks to fit in, you could help her think of ways to opt out without losing credibility. For example, she could tell her friends that smoking gives her asthma. Let her know she can send you a text message anytime she needs to be picked up, without worrying that you’ll be angry.
Encouraging “safe” risk-taking
Teens need to take some risks to learn more about themselves and test out their abilities. Try channeling your child’s risk-taking tendencies into safer and more constructive activities. Adrenaline-charged sports like rock-climbing, martial arts, snowboarding or mountain biking can supply plenty of thrills. Some teens might find they love the “rush” of performing in drama or creative arts. Another strategy is to give teen’s autonomy and independence in some areas, so that they can explore their freedom without resorting to rebellion. Autonomy is your teen’s growing ability to think, feel, make decisions, and act on her own. Try allowing your teen to make her own decisions about things like hairstyle, after school activities, and bedtime.
Getting support
Risk-taking is a fairly normal part of adolescence, and most teens won’t take it to the extreme.
If your child occasionally stays out past curfew, you might not worry too much. But if he regularly does things with dangerous consequences – like using alcohol or other drugs, getting into fights or breaking the law – consider seeking help and support. Also seek help if you’re worried that your child’s behavior is self-destructive or might be a sign of a deeper problem.
If you’re having a hard time talking with your child about risk-taking, it might help to ask a relative or trusted family friend to broach the subject. Some teens find it hard to talk about sensitive issues like sex and drug use with their parents, but they might be willing to talk to somebody else. You could also ask your child’s school counselor for advice.