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Feb 20, 2024

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Kareem Al Khalidi AHSC 314 #40159894 5/21/2023 Autobiographical Commentary As a child I experienced numerous amounts of changes and struggles as other adolescences might deal with growing up. One of these changes was the loss of my mother at the age of 10. It is obviously life and character changing that is part of the reason why I took this course; to be able to fully understand the importance of going through something like that at a young age and why I felt specific emotions at an integral part of my life. The two concepts that I can relate to my issue with this course are the topics of Identity, Emerging Adulthood and Storm and Stress theory. The crucial period of adolescence in a person's development is marked by several difficulties. People go through a stage known as emerging adulthood as they go from childhood to adulthood, which is characterized by the quest for identity and navigating newly acquired responsibilities. And as a 21-year-old I am currently in this phase and on the path to identity realization. The death of my mother sometimes has influenced my path to identity as sometimes in the phase of emerging adulthood certain traumas trigger anxiety and the feeling of being lost and unsure of what comes next, the lack of a mother figure really heightened that feeling for me as I feel sometimes, I lack that specific guidance. My attempt to forge a solid identity might be made more difficult by uncertainty about my future aspirations and employment possibilities. In addition, the pressures experienced at this period might be exacerbated by the growing duties and expectations that come with adulthood, which is what I am now experiencing. As they navigate the construction of their identities and the transition into adulthood, troubled teenagers frequently deal with a variety of psychological and emotional anguish. The ongoing internal effort to discover a sense of self and purpose can result in anxiety, sadness, and self-doubt. Inauthenticity can result from the pressure to live up to cultural norms and expectations, which can make their emotional pain worse. Additionally, the growing use of social media and its impact on how people perceive themselves can amplify feelings of inadequacy and feed the quest for identity. The social environment that teenagers experience has a profound impact on how they develop their identities. Peer groups, familial relationships, and cultural upbringings all 1

have a significant impact on how one feels about themselves. However, struggling teenagers like me and what I went through frequently struggle to match my developing identities with the standards and expectations set by these social situations. Feelings of loneliness, rejection, and a never-ending search for a place where I belong have resulted from this battle for acceptance and the freedom to express oneself. Additionally, the loss of a mother affects how I as a kid formed an identity in terms of how I viewed the outside world. Early on, I struggled with existential issues relating to life, death, and the frailty of existence. My attitudes, views, and overall outlook on life changed because of this increased knowledge of mortality, thus resulting in a more reflective and mature persona. Being exposed to mortality that young changed my expectation of life and sometimes it made me feel lonely as I thought nobody really felt the same, hence, leaving the feeling of isolation more present in my life and throughout my upbringing. Mothers are important in a child's development of their identity because they give them love, direction, and support. The absence of this main caregiver might leave a hole and affect the child's perception of who they are and where they fit in the world. I remember there were plenty of times in my life where I felt I needed a mother figure and it was missing, for example, when my grandfather passed away a few years back I felt like emotional support wasn’t really there and it was difficult to navigate. That example is something that shows how growing up might be difficult for certain people and why people are unique in their own ways with dealing with issues. I also had trouble answering questions about my identity, meaning, and place in the family and in society. The lack of parental guidance made this identification quest even more difficult. According to the "storm and stress" idea, adolescence is a time of increased turbulent emotions, conflict, and rebellion. It asserts that people go through significant mood swings, take risks, and struggle with identity building throughout this time. The hypothesis emphasizes the difficulties that teenagers confront as they make the transition from childhood to adulthood. Several factors come into play when applying the "storm and stress" theory to the passing of my mother. First off, losing a mother makes the turbulent emotion that adolescents go through worse. The loss-related sadness and grief might exacerbate the mood swings and emotional turmoil that are already frequent at this developmental time. As I struggled with the tremendous loss and the related emotions, I could feel more intense degrees of rage, frustration, or despair. Second, the lack of a maternal figure may cause rebelliousness or outbursts. As a child I started drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes at the age of 14, mainly because of the people I was friends with, but also it was a coping mechanism as rebellion felt right during that time. I started to feel resentful or abandoned, and these emotions might show out as rebellion or dangerous conduct. This can be a means to express 2

independence or seek attention as well as a coping strategy for dealing with the sadness of the loss. The loss of a mother may also change how the family functions and who is responsible for what, which lead to new pressures in my life. I had to take on new jobs or duties, including looking after younger siblings or running the household. These additional obligations may exacerbate the "storm and stress" that adolescents endure. The emotional upheaval, rebelliousness, and identity conflicts sometimes linked to the "storm and stress" hypothesis of puberty can be exacerbated by the loss of a child's mother. It is critical to acknowledge the particular difficulties these people confront and to offer suitable supports, such as counseling, therapy, and a supportive setting where they may work through their sorrow, manage their emotions, and create a sense of identity and stability. For struggling teenagers, navigating the problems of emerging adulthood and developing an identity is a difficult and sometimes exhausting process. It is essential that society, educational institutions, and support systems acknowledge and successfully handle these problems. We may provide adolescents who are struggling with their identity at this pivotal stage of development helpful support by creating safe spaces for inquiry, encouraging honest conversations, and encouraging self-acceptance. Young people can be empowered to manage their transition to adulthood with strength, confidence, and a deeper sense of self by accepting and embracing the hardships of adolescence. This is important advice to everyone who went through what I went through and is a message not only to those who suffer but to those who can help and give out a hand to someone they think is going through a difficult time. Word Count: 1202 Bibliography: 1. Laser, Julie Anne & Nicotera, Nicole (2021). Working with Adolescents, Second Edition: A Guide for Practitioners, The Guilford Press: New York. 2. Steinberg, Laurence (2019). Adolescence, McGraw Hill: New York. 3. AHSC 314, E-Concorida, Lesson(s) 1,2,3,4 4. Vinney, C. (2022). What Is the Storm and Stress View of Adolescence? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-storm-and-stress-view-of-adolescence- 6743696 3

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