A Tangle of Discourses: Girls Negotiating Adolescence
By Rebecca Raby
QUOTES:
1. Vivian Burr notes ‘A discourse refers to a set of meanings, metaphors, representations, images, stories, statements and so on that in some way together produce a particular version of events’ (1995, p. 48). It may also produce a version of things or people. Privileging one set of representations over another, discourses tend to claim the status of truth”.
Response: Raby explained how she used the “disclosure method” on her interviewees, in order to have a better understanding or closure of how teenagers or adolescences are viewed from generation to generation. For example Jan (grandmother) and Jess (granddaughter) interview’s Rebecca’s question was: there used to be stereotypes that teenagers are moody, emotional, or going through a phase … What do you think of that? I quote. Jan said that all teenagers are “self-centered” which I found interesting how easy was her to say that statement (is it because that’s how “all teens are perceive this way by older generation or is this her personal experience with teens”? but when it came to Jess her response was a little more expressive meaning that she explained how much she has to do to prove herself as a adolescence and as Raby explained this question was harder for Jesse to answer. “Teenagers are not some alien life form”
2. As Hudson illustrates:…”the problem of adolescence for teenagers is that they must demonstrate maturity and responsibility if they are to move out of this stigmatized status, and yet because adolescence is conceived as a time of irresponsibility and lack of maturity, they are given few opportunities to demonstrate these qualities which are essential for their admission as adults”. (1984, p. 36).
Response: As a young independent woman I do agree with Hudson statement (I’m talking through my personal experiences growing up) I was raised by a single mom and a brother and I remember everybody (family) telling me you better be good because your mom is sacrificing so much for the two of you and growing up that was a big weight on your shoulders. I have to start working as soon as I turn 16 “I have to help, it was my responsibility” I did not have time to “socialize” as much as I wanted but it was something I decided to do and not “rebel” and that does not mean I did not enjoy my teenage years, I believe it helped me be more responsible. My point is that everyone is unique and you can choose their own path, regarding age, social class, race etc. Been judge or labeled is something we all cannot escape.
3. “While teens are often stereotyped as troublemakers, ‘troublemakers’ are also stereotyped as teens or as kids”
Response: The most common label for teens today is “teens have no respect for adults” “they are trouble makers” just keep in mind that this is a form of stereotyping a whole community (teen community) Each teen needs to be looked at as an individual before any assumptions can be made. In most cases the majority of teens would prove to be responsible, caring people. The kind of future leaders we need for our society.
Nice to see your blog all condensed into one place! Let me know if you need future help.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I hope I will get on track.
DeleteGreat post on Raby's. I believe teaching teenagers responsibility early is a great thing to do but then I question am I forcing that teenager to become an adult to quick?
ReplyDeleteChela thats a good question. I do see and understand where you are coming from. I honestly feel that teaching them how to be responsible and mature at a young age will be beneficial. Because I feel that teenagers who are the TROUBLEMAKERS come from a environment (at home) that has a lack of discipline. I truly believe in discipline. And I feel these particular teenagers are given the liberty to do as they wish. And I think that's the primary reason they are framed to be a SOCIAL problem. My mother always told me "WHAT YOU ARE AT HOME, PORTRAYS WHO YOU ARE OUTSIDE". But you raise a good question.
DeleteI like your post a lot. Good job in using the text to reflect on your thoughts. I do agree with you that some teens need to prove to their societies that even though they are teenagers they are capable of responsibility and maturity. I can imagine it must have been hard for you to take that load of responsibility to take care of your mom and brother. I applaud you for the hard work. But the important thing is in your experience you decided for yourself that you were going to be responsible for your mom and brother. Thats the key thing I took from you sharing your experience. Thank you for doing that.
ReplyDelete